Adoption_in_the_United_States

Adoption in the United States What exactly is adoption' It is defined as the legal process by which a child becomes a lawful member of a family different from his birth family. Once an adoption is finalized, it gives the adoptive parents the same legal rights and responsibilities as biological parents. It also gives the adopted child the same legal rights in regards to inheritance, child support and other legal issues. One of the major reasons a couple considers adoption is the fact that they are unable to conceive a child on their own. Infertility is not the only reason a couple considers adoption. A child in need of a family also bears heavily on a couple’s decision. No matter how a family is started, a family is forever! One of the very first steps any couple should take before beginning their adoption journey is to decide which type of adoption best suits them. There are many factors to consider when choosing adoption. There are three primary ways to adopt in the United States: foster care adoption, private domestic adoption and international adoption. Adopting a child can be a very rewarding experience for both the child and the adoptive family. Foster care adoptions occur when children have been placed under the care of child protective services. These children are removed from their birth families due to abuse or neglect. Usually, foster care adoptions involve older children. According to the most current Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), there were approximately 423,773 children in the United States in foster care on September 30, 2009. Because of the abuse and neglect issues, a family needs to be educated about the issues that the child has faced. Finding out about these issues and getting valuable resources can help the adoptive family deal with them better. This will help assure that the welfare of the child is put first. If a family wants to adopt a child and are flexible about the age and race of the child, they can adopt very quickly if a child has been in the foster care system. In general, there are no fees to adopt these children. Sometimes there are even monthly subsidies available to offset the expenses involved in meeting the needs of these children. Few of life’s rewards equal that of adopting a child who desperately needs a loving home. Adopting from foster care is permanent. Once a child is adopted out of foster care, the birth parents cannot attempt to claim him or fight in court for his return. A family formed through foster care adoption is forever. Private domestic adoptions occur with a child that has not been in the foster care system and has been adopted privately within the United States. This type of adoption can happen through a non-profit organization and involves the birth parents directly placing their child with adoptive parents. Sometimes the birthparents can get help from attorneys, doctors, or even clergy to place their child. This type of adoption is growing in popularity. Another type of domestic adoption also can take place through an adoption agency. With a private domestic adoption there can be plenty of fees involved! One of the main reasons a family would choose to do a private domestic adoption is that they wish to adopt a healthy newborn infant. Domestic adoptions can be classified as open or closed adoptions. A closed adoption is where there is never any contact between the birth parents and the adoptive parents. Becoming ever more popular are the open adoptions. An open adoption is one where there is contact between the birth parents and the adoptive parents. This is usually decided by the two participating parties; it depends on what best meets their needs. An open adoption is basically one that allows the adoptees to form an actual relationship with the birth parents. Organizations began practicing open adoptions in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. This practice gained increasing acceptance in the 1990’s. An open adoption is being treated as a healthy alternative to the secrecy of the past with closed adoptions. An international adoption is when a child who originated from another country, other than the United States, has been placed with adoptive families. This type of adoption can be a more straightforward and easier process to navigate. The downside of an international adoption is that it is more expensive. With an international adoption the adoptive family is not waiting on a birthmother to pick them. They can proactively start the adoption process and can usually adopt a child within one year. Choosing a country to adopt from is a very important process within itself. Some countries have restrictions based on age, marital status or even sexual orientation. Adoptive parents may even have to travel to the chosen country of origin more than once before the adoption is even finalized. International adoptions can definitely be an adventure! If a family is prepared and has an idea of what to expect this experience can be a very positive one. No matter the type of adoption that is chosen, the end result will be worth all the hard work! Words from author Elizabeth Swire Falker “Make your adoption experience focused on your baby, not on the steps in the process or what you are feeling today”(Falker). Deciding to adopt is not a process; it is an event, an event that should not be taken lightly. The world of adoption is far from simple. There is lots to learn because there are so many options. The good news is that there are lots of great choices too! Love is not limited to biology; love is unlimited to an adopted child. Sources: Adamec, Christine. The Adoption Option Complete Handbook 2000-2001. Prima Publishing, 1999. Print. ACF Questions and Answers Support. Administration for Children & Families, 2010. Web. 12 Oct 2010. . Davenport, Dawn. The Complete Book of International Adoption A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Your Child. Broadway Books, 2006. Print. Falker, Elizabeth Swore. Ultimate Insiders Guide to Adoption Everything You Need to Know About Domestic and International Adoption. Warner Wellness, 2006. Print. Beauvais-Godwin, Laura, and Raymond Godwin. The Complete Adoption Book: Everything You Need to Know to Adopt a Child. Adams Media Corp, 2005. Print.