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Growing Your Family by Adoption
Adoption is a wonderful alternative for parents looking to have more children, regardless of whether they are able to have their own or not. There are many things to consider when taking the adoption route, and you may encounter many obstacles along the way. Don't let that stop you from achieving your goal of "growing" your family. We hope the information that we have provided here, will help you in your incredible journey.
Adoption now is very different from what it was even 10 years ago. Prospective adoptive families can feel vulnerable as they attempt to learn as much as possible in the shortest period of time to become informed consumers of adoption services.
The first step is to read and to educate yourself about adoption in general, the types of children available to adopt, and the various avenues to adoption. There are many informational resources available-guidebooks are listed at the end of this factsheet along with an annotated list of national adoption organizations. Adoptive parent support groups throughout the United States have members willing to assist those who are considering adoption. State Adoption Specialists in each State can send you information to help get you started. As you learn more, you will become better prepared to make the choices that are best for you.
Who Are the Children Available for Adoption?
Families of all kinds adopt children of all kinds, from newborns to teenagers, of every race and ethnicity, and from many countries around the world.
U.S.-born Infants
Many prospective parents seek to adopt healthy infants, often of a background similar to their own. In the United States, a relatively small percentage of healthy, Caucasian infants are placed for adoption. Most Caucasian infants are placed through agencies and independent adoptions.
African-American, Hispanic, and mixed-race infants are available both through public and private adoption agencies. The adoption of American Indian children (of all ages) by non-Indians is strictly limited by the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act. Fees and waiting times for infants vary tremendously, depending on the type of adoption involved.
Children with Special Needs
Many children with special needs are available for adoption. These children may be older (grade school through teens); may have physical, emotional, or mental disabilities; or may be brothers and sisters who should be adopted together. Usually, these children are in the care of a State foster care system. Both public agencies and some private agencies place children with special needs.
In addition, national, regional, and State adoption exchanges will assist in linking prospective parents with these children. Adoption exchanges and agencies usually have photolistings and descriptions of available children, and many now provide information about waiting children on the Internet. In many cases, financial assistance in the form of adoption subsidies is available to help parents with the legal, medical, and living costs associated with caring for a child with special needs.
Intercountry Adoption
Many children from other countries are available for adoption. Russia, China, Korea, India, and countries in Eastern Europe, Central America, and South America are the source countries for most foreign-born children adopted by Americans. More than 700 U.S. private agencies place children from foreign countries, and a few countries allow families to work with attorneys rather than agencies.
There are strict immigration requirements for adopting children from other countries, as well as substantial agency fees and transportation, legal, and medical costs. It is important that you choose a licensed, knowledgeable organization, because the intercountry adoption process is lengthy and complex.
As a prospective parent, you should carefully consider the emotional and social implications of adopting a child of a different nationality. Just as in transracial adoption of a U.S. child, you are adopting a culture as well as a child. Agencies seek families who will help a child learn about and appreciate his native culture because it is part of who he or she is.
What Options Are Available?
People considering adoption have a range of options.
Agency adoptions
- through the local public agency
- through licensed private agencies (includes both domestic and intercountry programs)
Independent adoptions (permissible in many States)
- identified adoptions (allowed in most States)
- using attorneys or other intermediaries defined by State law
- using adoption facilitators (allowed in only a few States)
Since adoption laws in the State where you live govern your options, it is essential that you know what types of placements are allowed or not allowed by your State's laws. If you pursue an adoption across State lines, you must comply with the laws in both States before the child can join your family. All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have enacted legislation (called the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children) that governs how children can be placed across State lines.
In weighing your options, you should evaluate your ability to tolerate risk. Of the options outlined above, agency adoptions provide the greatest assurance of monitoring and oversight since agencies are required to adhere to licensing and procedural standards. Independent adoptions by attorneys at least provide assurance that attorneys must adhere to the standards of the Bar Association, and some attorneys who specialize in adoption are members of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, a professional membership organization with standards of ethical practice. Adoptive placements by facilitators offer the least amount of supervision and oversight. This does not mean that there are not ethical professionals with good standards of practice; it simply means there are few or no oversight mechanisms in place at this time.
Who Can Adopt?
Adoptive parents may be married or single, childless or already parenting other children. Having a disability does not automatically disqualify you from adopting a child; rather, agencies will want to ensure that you can care for a child and meet his or her needs throughout his or her childhood. Divorce or a history of marital or personal counseling does not automatically eliminate you as a candidate. You are not required to own your own home or to have a high income in order to give children what they need-permanence, stability, a lifetime commitment, and a chance to be part of a family. Children do not need "perfect" parents-they need one or more caring and committed individuals willing to meet their needs and to incorporate them into a nurturing family environment.
Increasing numbers of agencies and some foreign countries are now placing children with single applicants. Follow-up research studies of successful single parent adoptions have shown single adoptive parents as mature, independent, and having a wide and supportive network of family and friends. In fact, single adoptive parents are often the placement of choice for children who have trouble dealing with two parents due to a history of abuse or neglect.
For many infant adoptions in the United States, however, agency criteria for applicants are more restrictive. Often agencies will only consider couples married at least one to three years, between the ages of 25 and 40, and with stable employment income. Some agencies accept applicants who are older than 40. Some agencies require that the couple have no other children and be unable to bear children. Some agencies require that one parent not work outside the home for at least six months after the adoption. Agencies placing infants will discuss their specific eligibility regulations and placement options with you.
Continue reading more about Adoption with the following articles:
Visit the following Internet sites for more information on adoption:
Below are some books that explain adoption to children. Use Amazon.com's secure server to order:
Below are other informative books on adoption. Use Amazon.com's secure server to order:
Copyright © National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. Reprinted with permission.
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