| In speaking with a majority of couples seeking to | | | | then forwarded to the adoptive parents: a letter |
| adopt a child, it's amazing to me how many are willing | | | | introducing the child, with photos and health records |
| to try international adoption. According to the U.S. | | | | included. |
| State Department, China has been the top choice as | | | | In order to finalize this China adoption, the adoptive |
| a source of adopted children for American couples | | | | parents are required to make the trip to China. |
| and Beijing reports show that in the last decade 4/5 | | | | Studies reveal that although times may vary, the |
| of their inter-country adoptions have gone to U.S. | | | | average waiting time from the initial step of |
| families. Couples disappointed with adoption | | | | registering to actually bringing your child home is |
| procedures in the U.S. find they also run into | | | | about 18 to 20 months, which is comparable to |
| frustrating obstacles with overseas adoptions. Even | | | | stateside adoptions. |
| after doing initial research and learning of the many | | | | There are other restrictive requirements in order to |
| obstacles involved with adopting abroad, many U.S. | | | | be approved for a China adoption. China has recently |
| couples still seem to favor China child adoptions. | | | | announced new (upsetting) rules concerning who is |
| The many U.S. adoptive parents who tout China as | | | | eligible to adopt, giving priority to stable married |
| their #1 source for adoption do so because they | | | | couples between the ages of 30 and 50, leaving |
| consider its government regulated system of | | | | singles and those with certain health problems to |
| adoption to be honest as well as efficient. Another | | | | wonder if they have been left out. The good news is |
| reason is that their orphanage population consists | | | | that these new rules supposedly will shorten the |
| mostly of abandoned baby girls who are much | | | | waiting time for the couples meeting the new |
| healthier on average than children from other | | | | qualifications. |
| countries. The big question that catches my eyes is: | | | | Would-be adoptive parents of overseas children, |
| Why such a large percentage of girls? | | | | including China adoptions, would do well to carefully |
| Researching China adoptions reveals that the | | | | research the total expense of this procedure. Some |
| majority (95%) of their adoptions are girls, due to | | | | research places the cost between $15,000 and |
| China's "one child" policy. If more than one child is | | | | $30,000, including travel costs, immigration |
| born, it's the girl who is placed for adoption because | | | | expenditures, the donation of $3,000 to $4,000 to |
| the boys are needed to help care for their parents | | | | the Children's Welfare Institute, medical and |
| and most importantly, to carry on the family name. | | | | translation fees and possible a few other fees. This is |
| Another reason given for U.S. adoptive parents not | | | | compared to domestic adoption fees which can run |
| requesting boys is that since China adoptions seem | | | | from nothing (welfare) to as much as $40,000. Other |
| to specialize in girls, specifying anything different | | | | couples who have gone through the overseas |
| would result in their request for adoption being | | | | adoption process report the cost to be between |
| ignored completely. All the months of previous | | | | $30,000 and $40,000. |
| efforts for this adoption would have been in vain. | | | | Couples could be somewhat encouraged to know |
| If you are considering becoming an adoptive parent, | | | | that some financial help may be available for their |
| a brief summary of the exhausting and costly | | | | China adoptions such as: a federal tax credit of |
| procedures may help prepare you for the proper | | | | $10,000 for qualifying expenses; loans and grants; and |
| decision. First of all, you must work through the most | | | | for some, even reduced air fare. |
| reliable adoption agency you can find. They in turn will | | | | Well, these are the facts about adopting from China. |
| do most of the dealing with China's Ministry of Civil | | | | They're yours to consider. You enter into this |
| Affairs (CCAA). Your agency must submit your China | | | | life-changing adventure knowing that it's going to be |
| adoption applications complete with dossiers (other | | | | costly; it's going to take a long time; it requires much |
| required documents) directly to the CCAA. Once | | | | prayer, mounds of paper work and careful choices. |
| approved, the match is made with the child whose | | | | Then consider why you gladly did it all. What price do |
| family history and health records have been sent to | | | | you put on the head of a precious child - to call your |
| the CCAA. From there the CCAA provides the U.S | | | | own! |
| adoption agency with pertinent information which is | | | | |