Adoption

Christopher Alexander writes that November is National Adoption Awareness Month:

In 1990, November was proclaimed as National Adoption Month. This was seen as an opportunity to raise public awareness about adoption and to acknowledge the importance of adoption in our society. It was also a way to help make people aware of the staggering numbers of children needing permanent placements.

He also comments on some recent articles about relinquishment, “parents who have adopted a child, only to change their mind long after the placement was finalized, usually because the child exhibited significant behavior problems.”

Several studies have shown that adopted children, as a whole, do present higher rates of behavior and emotional problems than the general population. This should not come as a surprise, given that many of these children suffered severe trauma and disruptions to aspects of their developmental attachment in the first few years of their lives.

. . .

Fortunately, the success stories are much greater than the ones that typically make it into print. Every year, many children . . . find permanent homes. Emotionally, academically and behaviorally, they thrive as they finally know what it means to be safe, loved and wanted. To me, this is the topic we should be addressing and celebrating. [There are] many professionals and agencies which are highly trained in working with adopted children and their families.

MapMuse has begun to put together a really nifty interactive map of adoption agencies in the US, which allows you to locate adoption agencies close to you. They already have over 3000 agencies listed and are adding more continuously. It looks like this tool could prove to be a really useful resource.

Jacob Wheeler writes at Worldpress of Guatemalan adoption. He explains why Guatemala is such a popular country for adoption, and describes the problems and corruption that surround Guatemalan adoption. But most riveting are the several accounts of Guatemalan adoption that he relates.

This is a well-written and moving article. Mr. Wheeler effectively creates a sense of empathy for the Guatemalan people, adoptive parents, and adopted children.

I won’t quote it; you should read the whole thing.

Fox News reports on the growing number of adoption scams, especially ones that take advantage of the opportunities provided by the internet.

Internet adoptions have gained some momentum in recent years. Birth mothers who want to put their child up for adoption and couples looking for a child to adopt can search for one another on different websites, and the results can be easier, cheaper and faster than a traditional adoption agency.

Unfortunately, adoption websites have also been a target for con artists. . . . The schemes are varied, but always end with broken hearts for the adoptive parents. Some of these criminals promise their unborn child to more than one couple, while some just pretend to be pregnant. All have one goal in mind: extort as much money as possible from trusting couples who desperately want a baby.

The author strongly encourages adopting parents to seek legal advice from an adoption attorney, and details some of the many benefits and assurances that an adoption attorney can provide.

Laura Christianson reports that Working Mother magazine has released its report of the 100 most family friendly companies, including an analysis of those that offer benefits related to adoption, such as adoption leave, adoption assistance, and infertility treatment.