Thesis: In the past, children were raised mostly by their biological parents. In the rare case they were not, they had either to survive on the streets or live in orphanages. Times have changed, and today children can be raised in single-parent families, by grandparents, foster parents, stepparents, or other parenting figures—all this is due to the procedure of adoption, which has become common worldwide.
Adoptive Family
Several factors to Consider
adopt a baby or an older child?
adopt domestically or internationally?
adopt privately or through the state foster care system?
have any sort of communication with the birth parents?
Adoption Professional
Choosing an Adoption Professional
You want to interview the agency
Seek out who you feel comfortable with
Adoption Professional A's $20,000 fees to Adoption Professional B's $30,000 fees -- don't select agency because of price
You'll want to investigate
wait times
disruption rates
hidden fees
financial protection
amount of support, education and guidance, etc.
Active Family
Becoming an Active Family
Do not receive child immediately
Home study
background checks, interviews, financial information
Adoption Planning Questionaire
Helps determine a good fit, children you are interested in, contact with birth parents, medical conditions you are accepting of
Adoption Profiles
text and pictures about your family, a video to help birthmothers see what the child's life would be like as a member of your family
Adoption Opportunity
Still want to continue your life
Searching for a child to match with your home or a birth mom to say "yes"
Patience is key
Communication
Domestic: communication with birth parents
Conference call
email exchange
meet during placement
International: communication with orphanage
May show child pictures of family
Begin calling child by new name
Finalize Domestically
Complete ICPC (Interstate compact on placement of children)
Complete Post-Placement Visits
Attend finalization hearing
Once completed: family granted legal custody & birth parents are terminated of their rights
Finalize Internationally
Must have an immigrant visa for child to enter U.S.
Children with IR-3 and IH-3 automatically require citizenship
Children with IR-4 and IH-4 visas receive a green card and are later a U.S. citizen on the date of their adoption in the U.S.
Children with IR-2 visas automatically receive citizenship under 18, receive green card and permanent resident if older than 18
To Conclude
Many things to consider (domestic or international, open or closed, boy or girl, health issues)
A way to provide parenting care to children
Bio parents have no opportunities or desire to do so
Establishes a lifelong legally-recognized relationship
Adoptive parents take on all responsibilities
References
American Adoptions Resources
“Introduction to Adoption.” Royal Greenwich.
"Modern Families: Parents and Children in New Family Forms." Susan Golombok.