| Most of what we know of adoption we get from | | | | consent but adoptive families can assess the risks on |
| the media or from our past. We see Angelina Jolie | | | | a case-by-case basis before entering into an |
| and Madonna adopting kids from around the globe. | | | | agreement. Other states don't have any revocation |
| We remember adopted kids from our childhood | | | | period at all. Despite the publicity surrounding a few |
| neighborhood. But neither is a true picture of adoption | | | | high-profile cases, post-adoption revocations are |
| today. | | | | extremely rare. |
| There are many myths and mistruths out there | | | | Myth #5 - Closed Adoptions are Better (or Vice |
| concerning adoption, and domestic adoption in | | | | Versa) |
| particular. Families considering adoption need to know | | | | Adoption isn't a one-size-fits all arrangement. Some |
| the facts in order to make an informed choice. | | | | families do great with open adoption, while closed |
| Myth #1 - Most Birth Mothers are Teenagers | | | | adoption is better for others. There are options |
| When you think of adoption, do you picture the | | | | available and varying levels of openness so each |
| pregnant high school girl in the movie Juno? In reality, | | | | family can choose what type of adoption is best for |
| most birth mothers who choose adoption for their | | | | them. |
| child are between 19 and 30 years old. Many are | | | | Myth #6 -- Adopted Children are Emotionally Unstable |
| already single mothers who understand the realities | | | | or Have Behavior Issues |
| and sacrifices involved in raising a child and choose | | | | Research shows that adopted children are as well |
| adoption to give their child a better life. Adoption is a | | | | adjusted as their non-adopted peers. Some studies |
| mature and loving choice and many birth mothers | | | | even indicate that adopted children are better |
| want an active role in their adoption plan. | | | | adjusted due to the fact that adoptive parents tend |
| Myth #2 - There are No Healthy Babies to Adopt in | | | | to be mature and financially stable. As with all children, |
| the U.S. | | | | some are very talented or brilliant and some are less |
| Tens of thousands of healthy newborn babies are | | | | capable and have more factors pre-disposing them to |
| adopted each year in the U.S - that's as many, if not | | | | potential difficulties. Most adopted people fall within |
| more, than the number of international adoptions. | | | | the normal range. |
| The myth that the only infants available for adoption | | | | Myth #7 - All Adoptions are Expensive |
| in the U.S. are drug-exposed is simply false. Most | | | | The cost of adoption varies greatly. Domestic |
| women considering adoption for their child are not | | | | adoptions can cost less than $10,000 and as much as |
| using drugs and are receiving prenatal care. In fact, | | | | $40,000. As an adoption consultant, most of the |
| babies placed for adoption are just as healthy as all | | | | adoptions I see are of healthy, Caucasian newborns |
| other babies born in the U.S. | | | | and the costs usually range from $25,000 to $35,000. |
| Myth #3 - The Adoption Process Takes Many Years | | | | Adopting an older child can be significantly less |
| With domestic adoption, the timeframe is | | | | expensive and there are foster adoption programs in |
| unpredictable because it depends on when you're | | | | many states that can involve little, if any money. |
| chosen by a prospective birth mother. Depending on | | | | Starting in 2009, the government will offer new |
| the quality of the profile you create and how open | | | | adoptive parents a tax credit of up to $12,150 that |
| you are to different situations, many domestic | | | | can help to significantly defray the costs. |
| adoptions can be completed in only a few months. | | | | These are just a few of the pervasive myths that |
| Myth #4 - The Birth Mother Can Show Up and Ask | | | | often cloud the decision-making process for |
| for the Baby Back | | | | pre-adoptive families. There are many factors that go |
| If an adoption is done legally, through reputable | | | | into a couple's decisions regarding adoption. |
| attorneys and agencies, the adoptive parents have | | | | Fortunately, there are many resources and much |
| full parental rights as soon as the adoption is finalized. | | | | support available to prospective adoptive parents to |
| Before finalization, some states have a revocation | | | | gain information and prepare them for the challenges |
| period during which the birth mother can revoke her | | | | and joys adoption can bring to their lives. |