Current Perspectives on International Versus Domestic Adoption

Current Perspectives on International Adoptionparents are matched after the birth of a child and in
versus Domestic Adoptionmany instances, after a waiting period of 6 months -
International adoption has been undergoing many1 year during which time the child is on a registry for
significant changes. On April 1, 2008, the Unitedpossible adoption by a family in the child's country. If
States ratified the Hague Convention, an internationala family pursues an international adoption of an infant,
treaty designed to protect the best interests ofthe child will most likely be several months old at
children. There are now 78 member countries to thisbest, and possibly over a year old or more, before all
treaty. While the treaty stands for principles that alladministrative hurdles are cleared and the child is
of us can certainly agree on such as ensuringpermitted to travel to its adoptive home. While
integrity, ethics, licensing standards for adoptionadoptive families choosing either international or
organizations and strict disallowance of child buying,domestic adoption face the possibility of not being
the treaty has in my opinion also served to createable to complete the adoption of a particular child,
obstacles to interna-tional adoption that have goneoften involving a birth parent or other family member
beyond issues of ethics and integrity and havechanging their minds, families adopting internationally
served to create great obstacles to findingwith an ethical agency rarely risk losing the adoption
permanent homes for children.monies paid for the services as most agencies will
The preceding discussions on the UNICEF, the Haguerefer another child at no additional expense. In
Treaty have great impact, in fact, on this discussiondomestic scenarios, expenses paid towards birth
regarding international versus domestic adoption.mother living expenses will be forfeited if she later
International adoption is, in my opinion, underchanges her mind.
systematic attack by powerful human rightsWhen it comes to adoption, many families balk at the
organizations resulting in severe restrictions andprospect of preparing birth mother introductory
ultimately greatly reduced numbers of adoptions.letters and photo albums feeling that they are
Quotas or closures are not the only form of attack -competing with other families or begging for a birth
implementation of adoption procedures so lengthy,mother to choose them. In international adoption,
cumbersome and costly that many Americans arebirth mothers don't choose adoptive families;
re-evaluating domestic adoption. For some families,however, many countries impose restrictions that
adopting a child from a developing nation where lifefamilies cannot meet. In some instances, foreign
and death could hang on an adoption decree iscountries may impose restrictions after the adoption
compelling and often the single reason for pursuingprocess has begun and families are suddenly not
adoption. While adopting a child from a developingqualified to adopt and must choose another country,
nation seems to be the most humanistic decision, oneoften involving additional expenses and creating
should not ignore the poverty and overwhelmingdelays in the overall process.
odds that some here in America face.Families adopting internationally must prepare
For some families, the prospects of "open" adoptionthemselves for particular medical, emotional, learning,
issues in the U.S. are daunting, Whether an adoptionand behavioral issues that their adopted children, who
occurs internationally or domestically has bearing onhave often spent their entire lives in an
the degree of openness that adoption can possess.institutionalized settings, often face. Adoption blogs,
Domestic adoptions vary widely in their degree ofsupport groups, and online groups are rife with
openness, depending on the preferences of the birthstories of families facing extremely difficult and
parents; however, international adoptions are morechallenging situations.
likely to be closed with little or no contact betweenWhile the process and waiting times for referral may
birth and adoptive parents.seem more predictable for international adoption than
International and domestic adoption options eachfor domestic adoption, changes in policy, procedure,
offer distinct advantages and disadvantages,closures, moratoria are all regular occurrences in
depending on the concerns, motivations andinternational adoption.
preferences of adoptive parents. In domesticLastly, international travel, sometimes lengthy, can
adoption situations, agencies generally are able toprove disruptive to work and family life, particularly
provide more detailed and accurate information aboutwhen families have other children they must leave at
birth parents' medical information than it can in anhome, and very challenging for some people who
international adoption scenario. They are also betterhave not traveled outside of their country very
able to provide the option of an open or semi-openoften.
adoption than are international agencies. Whether thisDeciding whether to pursue international or domestic
is a benefit or a deficit depends on the preferencesadoption necessitates careful examination of the
of the adopting parents.many pluses and minuses of each option. Selecting an
Certainly a distinct advantage of domestic adoption isagency that can offer guidance, expertise, counseling
that it offers the opportunity to participate in aand honest answers to the advantages and
newborn or young infant adoption. In domesticdisadvantages of the program they offer can be the
adoption situations, parents are typically matchedsingle most important decision that an adoptive
with a pregnant woman who has not yet given birth.parent makes on this most extraordinary journey.
In contrast, when dealing with international adoption,