International Adoption

International Adoption
Orphanages have been on the earth since 1729 when Ursuline nuns began an orphanage in North America after Indians killed all adults in Natchez, Mississippi (ProQuest). Ever since then adopting a child has become more known by U.S citizens. In the year 1949 author Pearl S. Buck began the very first adoption agency to deal with international and interracial adoption. American families adopt 20,000 children from former countries every year (Spivack). This agency which was known as “Welcome House” promoted and pushed for the adoption of Asian Children (ProQuest). International adoption began in the 1950’s after the Korean war. Americans began to adopt children who were known as Amerasian due to the fact they were half American from men of the military. International adoption sparked again after disturbing photos were released of Romanian orphanages, and it began an effort to save children there(Spivack). If international adoption was promoted in the 1950’s it should be even more so promoted in this 21st century.

Beth Nonte Russell is the founder of Big Mind Publishing and expressed her concern that even though China claims to be concerned about the ratio of boys to girls there is still an odd overwhelming number of girls in orphanages (Russell). Going back to the “one child law” this could be the reason for the great number of females in orphanages. Members of the Chinese society are only allowed one child. In China it is more honorable to have a son, therefore parents give up their child if it is a female. Russell goes on to state, “It seems that China is more concerned with its image than the welfare of its children.” Also due to this one-child policy “missing” girls, as Russell calls it approaches five million each year. Russell said pertaining to the high rate of abortions each year in China and 70 percent of them estimating to be females that, “National pride is more important than getting these children into loving homes.”
International adoption has so many opportunities and benefits. First off it gives a child the opportunity to be part of a loving and permanent family. It has been proven and many experts agree that institutionalism is harmful to a child’s physical, emotional, and intellectual development. Even highly funded orphanages can not offer the nourishment and development that permanent homes can. Statistics have also proven that children who grow up in institutionalism, also known as an orphanage, has a higher rate of suicide and drug abuse (Spivack). International adoption really does give these children opportunities that they would never even dream about. There is no alternative that can give the same opportunities for a child then having a real family that will help them reach their potential. Spivack says it best when she approaches the topic of international adoption when she states, “it is important to reinforce the notion that a child needs far more than a roof over his head to grow and flourish in his life-children need families who will love and nurture them-in order to grow into secure, productive and happy adults.” As one can see international adoption has never ending benefits yet some still believe international adoption is risky.
Spivack explains the risks of adopting from overseas and it becoming more difficult, expensive, and potentially heartbreaking. Foreign adoption brings its own difficulties. First one being mainly that the parents must meet the legal requirements of two countries. Spivack stated, “The most daunting and potentially devastating, hurdle in international adoption is assessing a child’s health in the face of incomplete or faulty medical information.” Most of the children coming to the United States come from countries with poor medical systems and where pregnant women lack prenatal care. Also some believe that the lack of individual care in an orphanage causes many of the delays of physical and mental developments (Spivack). All these statements are true and heartbreaking but is this a good enough reason to stay away from international adoption? Isn’t this more reason to adopt foreign to help this child in need? Yes, in some instances parents are lied to and adopt a child that needs more care then expected but in more situations than not , through international adoption the child you receive is one that you will help grow strong, healthy, and feel loved.