Choosing a Child for Adoption

Choosing a Child for Adoption: Why it is More Serious than You Think

Nowadays, the notion of child adoption has been made more popular by TV documentaries and by publicized adoptions made my celebrities.  The main decision that needs to be addressed by interested individuals or couples will be choosing a child for adoption.  How do you choose the child to adopt? 

Before you go about choosing a child to adopt, there are certain procedures that you must go through. A good place to start is a legitimate adoption agency which will be responsible for guiding you through the whole process of adoption.  Choosing an adoption agency is in fact the first challenge for those interested in adoption.

There are a number of adoption agencies, and often a good way to narrow down your choices is to choose a specific country or culture to adopt a child from.  If race and culture isn't an issue, and you are more general with your search for your child adoption, then a popular trusted agency which can provide you with a number of adoption options may be your best bet.

What to expect

If you are clueless with the adoption procedures and if the concept of adoption is something new to you then reading stories regarding child adoption is advisable.  After you have oriented yourself with the experiences of adopting parents, it is a good idea to have your chosen agency schedule a meeting with individuals or couples who have experienced child adoption.

In addition, if you have specific concerns regarding the adoption of a child from a specific culture then it is advised that you converse with experienced parents who have adopted a child from the said culture.  

Further research is also advised, and a personal soul-searching and/or reflection will also be good before you take any steps in child adoption.  Once you are sure however, committing to an adoption program that is most suited to your liking and your needs will be most beneficial. 

How to choose

While there are a few pointers in choosing a child to adopt, the steps can't teach interested adopting parents to feel for their soon-to-be-adopted child.  For some, there is an instant connection felt between the child and them.  Remember that while all children are said to be beautiful because each is considered to be a gift from God, there are compatible matches between children put up for adoption and adopting parents. 

Therefore, just like marriage the commitment to adopt must be present and spending time with the child you intend to adopt is very crucial before you take the final step of adopting the child.

International Adoption FAQs

With the general improvements in American society brought about by various factors such as marriage counseling, employment opportunities, and medical science, the number of children who are put up for adoption by their natural parents, abandoned, or orphaned are steadily declining. While on the one hand this is definitely a blessing in terms of lives and families saved, but this fact is a problem for couples looking to adopt a child. To this end, many Americans have turned to international adoption as a means of finding a child they can raise as their own. There are a lot of questions running around regarding international adoption policies, and here are some answers to the most frequently asked ones.

Will local or foreign policies apply for the adoption? - foreign adoption laws will apply for the child. As far as the American legal system is concerned, an international adoption is a private agreement between the adoptive parents and the foreign country where the child is located.

What are the pros and cons of international versus domestic adoption - the only real factor that favors international adoption is that it allows local adoptive parents an additional means of finding a child to adopt when there is a domestic shortage of potential candidates. Otherwise, the three factors of distance, citizenship issues, and having to follow foreign adoption policies often make international adoption more difficult.

What are the most popular countries for child adoption? - probably because of media influence, there are two general types of countries which are prime candidates for US citizens to seek an adoptive child. One is impoverished nations, and the other is post-war torn nations. In both of these cases, the usual accepted rationale is that the adopted children will be able to find a much higher quality of life in the United States than in their native homeland.

What citizenship issues will arise from the adoption? - usually, the answer is none. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 granted automatic US citizenship to adopted foreign children, provided three factors are met. One, at least one of the child's adoptive parents must be a US citizen by birth or by naturalization. Two, the child must be under 18 years old. Three, all adoption procedures are finalized, legal, and binding. If all three factors are met the child is granted immediate US citizenship upon adoption.

What about Health Concerns and foreign diseases? - the adoptive child will have to undergo medical testing along with other procedures like vaccination before he or she can be brought to US soil. The testing is conducted by certified local medical groups in the child's country of origin. If any medical problems are detected that would normally interfere with obtaining a US visa, the parents are given a chance to rescind their adoption offer. If they choose to continue with the adoption they have to sign waivers with US immigration stating that they are aware of the facts of the child's medical condition.

How do I avoid international adoption fraud? - between the rising demand for adoption in the US and the usual greed of criminals, it's all too easy to get scammed by groups posing as international adoption agencies. The US consular office in the foreign country where you are planning to adopt a child will have a list of the most reputable agencies that you can contact there.

How do I avoid citizenship issues arising after adoption? - local state laws may actually choose to challenge your adoption even after you have met the demands of the foreign country's adoption laws. This is because the law in some states don't hold that foreign laws for adoption are legal and binding on US soil. Because of this, it is recommended that you perform a re-adoption once the child is on US soil, this time following local state adoption policies.

Is traveling to the country of my potential adoptive child recommended? - yes, to take care of any local legal requirements for the adoption. However, do this only if proper precautions have been taken. As stated earlier, some groups actually run scams, and given that the favored countries for adoption are impoverished or war-affected nations, the potential for criminal or terrorist activity from a scam group is high. Check with the US consular office in that country before planning to head overseas to make sure that everything is legit.

The Independent Adoption Process

Tips to Win the Independent Adoption Process

Adopting a child is a viable option for couples today. Any family can welcome an adopted child as another addition to the family. This is even a good opportunity for couples who can't bear a child. They can adopt a child so that they can fill whatever is lacking in the family. The adoption process can even serve as the start of a lifelong relationship with the child and give a whole new chance for parenthood.

Today, adoption is becoming more accepted among couples and families. We have seen celebrities who've adopted kids and are very happy with their decisions. It is a good thing because couples who can't bear kids have a shot at parenthood. Kids who are left with no parents are able to have a family and a home. Thus, if you are interested in the adoption process, it is best to know your options.

The first thing to be a winner in the adoption process is to do it legitimately. It is best to stay away from people who will arrange to bring a kid to your home in exchange of money. It's not good to be putting a price on the child. Follow the legal adoption process. This way, you can be assured that the child won't encounter problems later on.

The adoption process can entail some responsibilities. You will have to deal with the legal requirements to formally adopt a child. You can easily approach a child placement agency to help you in this regard. However, it will also help to get to know the other processes involved to adopt a child.

The Independent Adoption Process

In the independent adoption process, the couples get to adopt a child by dealing directly with the biological parents although this still has to be done with the approval of the court. You can get an agency to do the matching for you. Then, you will have to undergo counseling, the same with the biological parents. You will also need to get an adoption attorney to accomplish the legal requirements throughout the process.

Why Pursue an Independent Adoption?

You may eventually wonder why people pursue independent adoption. Pursuing an independent adoption can be significant in various ways. There are certain advantages in being able to meet up with the natural parents through the independent adoption process.

Advantages of the Independent Adoption Process

This is a way for the adopting parents to get a real idea of what the biological parents are like. Some adopters want to be assured that the natural parents will at least satisfy a minimum expectation, especially for the genetic traits of their adoptive child. In most cases, this can at least ensure the adopting parents that their child will have some physical similarities to them so that the whole family can look as natural together as possible.

Disadvantage of the Independent Adoption Process

There is one disadvantage that you have to take into account if you take the independent adoption process. Since you are able to meet with the biological parents of your adoptive child, both of you can identify each other. Biological parents will normally undergo counseling. However, their emotions can still change over time. As such, this can pose a problem if the biological parents later on chase after the adopting parents to meet the child. It's not impossible for the adopting parents to be harassed. This is why you have to think carefully of making this decision.

Is a Domestic Infant the Right Choice for You?

Today, we have seen how celebrities like Angelina Jolie and others have been adopting kids from other countries. In their cases, they might have really chosen to do such. However, it is better to think twice first. There is a big chance that adopting a domestic infant will be more favorable. First, there will be less problems of worrying about the adjustments of the child to your country. It is also more expensive to adopt a child from another country. There is also the possibility of conflicting laws as regards adoption laws.

Conclusion

Taking the independent adoption process can be your key to welcoming a child to the family. Be sure to take the task to safeguard the interests of your child and the family.

What Is an Identified Adoption?

It is always a blessing to welcome a child to the family. This is the opportunity that lets individuals or couples enjoy the tasks and perks of parenthood. Even couples who can't bear a child can enjoy this wonderful experience through the adoption process. Adopting a child makes it possible for couples to fill whatever is lacking in the growth of their family.

Adopting a Child

The first thing a couple seeking to adopt a child will do is to approach an adoption or placement agency who can help in the process. The agency has the capability to assist the couple and match them with a child that will fit their request. The agency can match the background and characteristics of the child. More often, it is important to match kids of the same race with the parents to avoid complications later on.

It is also the task of the agency to determine that the adopting parent or parents are fit to support a child. They must be financially, emotionally and psychologically capable of welcoming a child in their homes. For couples, it is very crucial that the marriage is stable enough and that they are prepared in nurturing the child. They will also have to undergo counseling. Then, judicial approval has to be secured to legally establish the adoption.

Some agencies may put other requirements aside from the basic ones. Some couples find the additional requirements quite restricting. The paperwork may be demanding, but keep in mind that this is only to ensure the best interests of the child and of the couple. However, it is best to be aware of certain conditions in the adoption process, like the identified adoption.

What Is an Identified Adoption?

Adopting a child will entail certain judicial and formal processes. There are many ways which you can choose to adopt a child into your family. One known process is the identified adoption. An identified adoption is a process where the adopting parents get to know the biological parents of the child. This can even be more peculiar in cases where the adoption is arranged by the placement agency with a birth mother. Just think of what Monica and Chandler in the Friends show went through in adopting their twins.

You have to keep in mind that the identified adoption is more than just a mere formality you have to go through to adopt a child. There are certain consequences involved in the identified adoption. Be sure you know its pros and cons so that you can avoid complications later on.

The Pros of the Identified Adoption Process

The identified adoption process can be advantageous in the sense that it allows the adopting parents to get to know personally the background of the child. Most people are very particular with genetics. They want to make sure that the birth mother is good enough to meet their expectations, even if it may only be limited with the physical characteristics of the parents. This process can also be more advantageous to the biological parents as they can personally appease themselves that their child will be in good hands.

The Cons of the Identified Adoption Process

There are also cons in taking the identified adoption. Since the biological parents know the adopting parents, this could open up to some risks in the adoption process. It is typical for the both sets of parents to undergo counseling before formally perfecting the adoption process. However, this is no insurance that everyone will be amenable all throughout. There is a possibility that they will later on change their minds and go after the adopting parents. This can be bothersome, especially if they claim back the child.

Another risk of having an identified adoption is the possibility of harassment. Some biological parents may take the opportunity to extort money from the adopting parents. It's not good to put a price to the child. However, if you end up with such unfortunate circumstances, then it will really be burdensome.

Conclusion

Be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the identified adoption process. This way, you can be sure that you are making the right choice. It is always nice to welcome a child into the family without the worries of unnecessary consequences.

Telling Your Partner about Adoption

Adoption is a big thing in society and if you plan to adopt a child, you are sure to hear a gamut of opinions from your friends and relatives. While they may have good intentions in giving you advice, it sometimes get too confusing when all these opinions pile up. In the end, the decision to adopt falls back to you and your partner because the endeavor is basically one that you both have to decide on. And as such, telling your partner about adoption is extremely important if you have any plans of doing so.

Telling your partner about an adoption being planned is very essential. This endeavor doesn't involve only you but also your significant other because both of you will have to adjust to the presence of a new child. Being a parent is a responsibility that should carefully be thought of and if you plan to become a parent through adoption your partner needs to know of your plans first.

Telling your partner about adoption is even more important if you plan to push through with an interracial adoption. Adopting a child of a different race is quite a sensitive issue and both you and your partner should be able to face all the concerns involved. It is one thing to adopt a child, it is another to adopt a child that may be considered different by society.

Discussing adoption with you partner may be difficult, but here are some ways you can start making the discussion easier:

1. Have an open mind and try to understand what your partner has to say. Be ready to witness an outpouring of emotions as the subject matter of the discussion is very tricky.

2. Be prepared for the rejection of your proposal. You can't expect your partner to just agree with you right then and there. Your partner might not be ready for adoption and it's not a good idea to force the subject. Hopefully in time, your partner might become ready to adopt a child. You just need to wait for the idea to become mutual.

3. Don't be afraid to ask what your partner’s concerns are regarding the adoption. You might be surprised at how simple the concerns are and how it easy it is to address them.

Telling your partner about adoption should be straightforward and simple. With a good discussion it will be easy for your to consider your options and figure out which is best for you both.

Who is Qualified to Adopt a Child?

For some people, adoption is a blessing. It allows those who aren't able to conceive a child naturally to have a child of their own. It also lets children who have lost their parents an opportunity to be raised in a family. But adoption is no light matter, and it takes a long process to ensure the well being of both the child and the parents. Perhaps the most common question is “who is qualified to adopt a child”?

Age

Perhaps the most common and definite qualification for adoption is that the parent should be at least 21. The age gap between the prospective parents and the child varies depending on the state, but generally, the parent should be mature enough to take care of the child and young enough to raise the child well into young adulthood.

Sex, Orientation, and Marital Status

Technically, there are no prohibitions regarding the sex, orientation, and marital status when it comes to adopting a child. Male or female, straight or gay, married or single, an adult should be able to adopt a child. However, some people may find it easier to adopt than others. A heterosexual married couple are usually the ones who find it easiest to adopt since that is the usual configuration of a family. Other than that, adoption courts are somewhat very cautious as they try to look at the “best interests” of the child.

Race and Culture

An adult can adopt a child whether or not they belong to the same ethnic background or race. However, decisions usually favor adoption within the same color as much as possible. In some areas, children of color may be easier to adopt because they may not be as “in demand” as white children. Parents who have no preference about the race of their adoptive child usually find it easier to get matched.

Financial Status

There are no specified income level to be qualified to adopt. However, the parent should be able to earn enough to support the new family. Prospective parents who are struggling to support themselves are most likely not considered for adoption.

Homeownership

Prospective parents don't necessarily have to own their own house. What is important is that they can provide a nurturing environment for the child.

Adoption is a serious matter, and because of such, there are really no set checklists to determine who is qualified to adopt. What is done instead are individualized evaluations to see if adoptive parents are indeed capable of raising children. This way, the safety of each adopted child is ensured.

Pros and Cons of Adoption

Know the Pros and Cons of Adoption Before Making a Decision

Families who are considering adoption as a means of having children should first decide whether to adopt domestically or internationally. There is no fast track way of adopting a child from either means of adoption since each has its own adoption pros and cons.

It is difficult to say which adoption is better because it depends on the adopting family. Some adopting families prefer domestic adoption, some prefer international adoption for certain reasons.

Generally, domestic adoption is much more affordable than international adoption, simply because of the reduced cost on travel and additional paperwork. Compared to international adoption, domestic adoption seldom requires the adopting family to spend too much time on the adoption process since most of the leg work will be done by case workers and adoption agency representatives.

Another pro that adopting families get from domestic adoption is the possibility of getting a newborn baby. Compared to international adoption, it will take a while for an infant to unite with his/her adopting family and the child will normally be a few months old.

Requirements for domestic adoption are quite strict and qualifications for adopting families are also high. This is one of the cons of domestic adoption that somehow lead adopting families to adopt internationally.

Another con of domestic adoption is the possibility that the biological mother may change her mind or refuse to give up her child for adoption. This may cause the adoption process to delay or even be terminated if the biological mother changes her final decision. This happens more often during the final stage of the adoption process where the adopting family is expecting a child.

It is also possible that there are fewer children available for domestic adoption especially if an adopting family prefers to adopt a child from a minority group. This is one of the major pros of international adoption, where children of different races are plenty.

There’s another way to adopt domestically and that is through closed or confidential adoption. This type of domestic adoption doesn't allow any contact between the adopting and the biological families.

Closed or confidential adoption poses many cons especially to the child and the adopting parents. There is always a possibility that the child may feel the need to look for his/her biological parents and this could cause problems.

Adoption pros and cons have the potential to discourage the adopting family in many ways. But with an open mind and heart, overcoming the dilemma of adoption will prove to be worthwhile.

Understanding the Adoption Process in Layman’s Term

Children are an important part of the family. Society expects a married couple to have children in order to continue their blood line and to take part in the vast opportunities that the world can offer. But when a couple can't have children, adoption becomes a critical option. And the adoption process starts in the home as couples and families decide to do so.

One important question is, who has the right to adopt?

Regardless of you sexual orientation, civil status or race, adoption options are specifically available per each case. Ideally, parents whose ages range from 30 to 50 years old, have the opportunity to adopt. Primarily, the prospective parents should also be capable of raising a child.

Local and international adoptions are also possible. Many adoption agencies can help you during the entire process of selecting, applying and finalizing the adoption process.

For parents who want to adopt a child, here are the things you should consider in an adoption process:

1. Look for an adoption attorney to help you go through the adoption process. Make sure you choose an adoption attorney who has a good background and years of experience.

Your attorney can help you get connected with adoption agencies and he/she can help you make the right decisions that can lead to a successful adoption process.

2. If you have no budget to pay for an adoption attorney, you may want to seek the help of a government adoption service to give you advice and help you speed up the adoption process.

3. You have a choice among the many adoption agencies available. Read through the policies, requirements and fees on their websites or visit their office and speak with a representative to learn about these things.

4. Timing is crucial during the adoption process. You will have to wait a while before you get that phone call. It takes time to deliberate and assess your qualifications based on your application. The adoption agency has the responsibility to both you and the child, and this process of choosing the right family is one of their most important tasks.

5. With timing comes a lot of paperwork. Adoption requires a lot of documentation such as forms and certifications that will prove you are eligible for adopting.

6. Home visits, interviews, home studies and investigations are also part of the adoption process. Applicants have the obligation to participate in these activities to help agencies gain confidence in them.

7. Legalization of adoption is the final and most important step. This is the part of the adoption process that will legitimize the adopting parents and the child as one family.

Why do you want to adopt?

8 Bad Reasons for Adopting a Child

Contrary to popular opinion, adopting isn't always the right decision to make. Certain situations can make the choice of adopting the wrong one, and if you truly care about the child you’re planning to adopt – make sure you’ve the right reasons for adopting a child.

8 Bad Reasons for Adopting a Child

It’s easy to identify the right reasons for adopting a child. If you and your partner have a genuine desire for raising a child with the capacity of loving him as if he was your own, then yes, of course you should go ahead with your decision. But the wrong reasons for adopting a child are something people find it harder to determine simply because they also find it hard to accept that they’re adopting for the wrong reasons.

Adoption is a Fad – Just because the likes of Angelina Jolie (who started the fad), Madonna, and even Sharon Stone are doing it doesn’t mean you have to do the same just so you can be fashionable. Regardless of the kind of lifestyle you can afford to give your adopted child, adopting him for such a shallow reason will still end up hurting and pushing him away. You’re adopting a child, not an object!

Adoption is a Safety Net for Your Marriage – Your marriage is breaking apart, and you feel that adopting a child will keep you together. Your insecurities might make you feel that way, but listen to your logic and conscience. Adopting a child to keep your marriage from breaking isn't practical because it’s not the root of your problem. Secondly, adopting a child for such reasons isn’t fair to the child since you’re using him rather than loving him the way he deserves to be.

Adoption Will Prevent You from Feeling Lonely – This is wrong. Loneliness is a state that you brought upon yourself, and adopting a child, at most, can only make it go away temporarily. And when it returns, your loneliness could have a negative effect on your adopted child.

Adoption is the Solution to Your Ticking Biological Clock – You’re in your mid-thirties and you’re still single. You’re scared that you’re going to die alone and if you postpone things much more, you might be unable to have a child at all. You want to adopt a child because you feel you can’t give birth to one naturally. While this isn’t technically wrong, are you really sure you’re ready for the rigors of parenthood? It’s not a life of bed of roses, definitely!

Adoption Will Give You a Heir – This isn’t bad as a secondary reason, but it won’t do at all as a primary reason. Seeing your adopted child as a heir and not as your son might make you treat him more like an apprentice. You could end up being too strict without meaning to, and that’s once more unfair to your adopted child.

Adoption is All about What You Want – If you are married, make sure that your partner is amenable to your plans for adoption because if he or she isn’t, that could complicate things and prevent you from giving your adopted child the life he deserves.

Adoption Allows You to Have a Beautiful Looking Child – If you adopt an older child, you’ll have an idea if he or she’s going to grow up good-looking. Looks are, however, never a good basis for adoption because your adopted child doesn’t deserve to have his value solely based on his looks. Learning the truth behind his adoption might make him feel confused about his value as a person later on.

Adoption Will Replace the Child You’ve Lost – This is very wrong because you might end up comparing your adopted child with the child you’ve lost. He might grow up lacking confidence, having lived in the shadow of your deceased child all his life. In this situation, it’s better to grieve as much you want, accept reality then adopt a child only when you have moved on completely and are ready to make a brand new start in your life.

Adoption isn't an easy process for you, but you should be aware that it’s a more difficult process for the person being adopted since he or she doesn’t yet have the necessary maturity to cope with the life he was born with. Think long and hard about your plans so that you won’t end up hurting anyone.