Domestic vs. International Adoption

Domestic vs. International Adoption I. Introduction A. (Opening Device) I am sure that you’ve all seen the infomercials on television asking us to donate or adopt a less fortunate children in third world countries like Sudan, Somalia, China, and parts of Africa. Have you every stop to think what about the children in our own country that are also suffering. They may not be in such harsh conditions like those of other countries but they are also in need of a safe, loving, stable, and nurturing family. B. Thesis Statement) When it comes to choosing between domestic or international adoption, there are many factors a couple or single person adopting must consider. C. (Previews of Main Points) In order to help you better understand why I prefer domestic adoption rather than international adoption, I will present three main points: the pros and cons of both domestic and international adoption including cost, wait time, children available, medical and social history, and legal concerns. II. Body A. Domestic adoption is easier when it comes to cost. . Cost a. According to Complete Adoption and Fertility Guide by Brette McWhorter Sember “Choosing between adopting a child within the United States or from another country is a common dilemma faced by potential adoptive parents. With domestic adoptions, it is generally easier to adopt a younger and possibly healthier child than it is to adopt from another country…” Many couples are often overwhelmed by the cost when they begin looking into adoption. b. Both domestic and international adoption has its unique costs. Couples dopting domestically will not have to worry about the cost of a visa, which couples adopting internationally must budget for. Couples adopting domestically may be asked to provide some living expenses for the expectant mother, such as help with rent or utility payments, an expense that is not typically seen in international adoptions. 2. Waiting Time a. The time a couple waits to receive a child also depends on many factors. The more restrictive a family is in their limits or guidelines such as only being open to one race, the longer the family may wait.

The more open a family is to certain situations, the less time they wait. b. The amount of time you wait also depends on what agency is doing your adoption process, which now brings me to children available. B. There’s a chance that you might not always get the child want. 1. Children Available a. “All Carrie West wanted was a chance to care for an orphaned child. But when she traveled to Vietnam five years ago, she says, she got something else: a quick lesson on the murky world of international adoptions.

Here’s how she tells the story: Informed by her adoption facilitator that Thuy, the little girl she had planned to adopt, had fallen deathly ill with tuberculosis, she ended up taking a different child. But Thuy’s plight stayed with her, and she sought out updates on her condition. Eventually, she learned that the child, far from being ill or convalescing, had been adopted by someone else–long before. ” (Quote provided by Kit R. Roane from USNEWS. com) b. Children of all ages are available for adoption in the U. S. The National Council for Adoption estimates that there are approximately 25,000 U.

S. -born children placed for adoption each year. The number of children adopted internationally is very similar to those adopted domestically. The U. S. Department of State reported 19,411 immigrant visas issued to orphans entering the U. S. in 2007. (Statistics provided by AmericanAdoptions. com). 2. Provided or Lack of Medical & Social History a. One very great difference between domestic and international adoption is the availability of the medical history of the child and their birth parents. The medical history of children adopted internationally is often, if infrequent available at all.

It is common for couples to adopt a child internationally without any knowledge of the child’s medical history. Where as in a domestic adoption mother and child’s medical history is thoroughly provided. b. In a domestic adoption social history is also provided. Some agencies make this information available to families before entering into an adoption agreement. This gives them the choice of accepting the match based on those factors or not. In an international adoption couples adopting are more likely to receive. They should be prepared for attachment disorders.

If a child is not provided consistent care by a familiar person, such as the case of children in orphanages in international countries, then the child is not able form an attachment. C. Legal matters are most important in both cases. 1. Legal Concerns a. Domestic and international adoption also has their own unique legal concerns. One very large legal concern in domestic adoption is that the child’s biological parents may come back years later and take the child back. b. Couples adopting internationally should fully research the adoption process required by each country.

Each country has its own set of legal mandates governing adoption that must be met before the adoption is finalized. III. Conclusion A. (Summary) In conclusion, I think when it comes to choosing between international and domestic adoption, there are many factors to consider. Couples should do their best to fully research each of these adoption avenues and weigh their options. B. (Closing Device) While domestic adoption may be a better fit for couples seeking a newborn, other couple may prefer to adopt a child from another country to add cultural diversity to their family.

So next time your watching those infomercials , also keep in mind the suffering children that live amongst you and if you can in any way lend a helping hand . IV. References Bender & Leone Series Edition (1995) Opposing Viewpoints Lindsay, J. (1997) Pregnant? Adoption Is an Option Jones, Cheryl (1998) The Adoption Sourcebook Kit R. Roane “Pitfalls for Parents” USNEWS website Posted 5/29/05 Mia Carter “International Adoption Program Restrictions” Suite101’s website 6/27/09