If you meet the requirements to be an adoptive parent in the state of Kansas, and are interested in international adoption, it is important to examine several considerations prior to moving forward with the process. Such factors will help to determine if this is in fact the most suitable adoption route for you and your family. Generally, international adoption presents many advantages and even less disadvantages. Keep in mind the following pros and cons may be perceived differently depending on who you are and your own life’s circumstances.
Pros:
- Many children, both boys and girls, whether infants or older kids, either healthy or special needs are accessible via adoption from numerous countries.
- Once your home study is approved, you are generally cleared for adoption. Adoptive parents and children are matched either through an adoption agency, an in-country visit, or a country’s adoption committee.
- With international adoption, there is a definitely time frame. You will be notified approximately how long it will take before your child is in your arms. On average, the time frame ranges from 12 –18 months. A lot of this depends on the country you are dealing with, and how particular you are with a child’s preferences regarding age and gender.
- There is no change of heart with the birthmother in international adoptions; the children available must be orphans. Once you have accepted the placement of a child, you will almost always become the parent of that child.
- You will be aware of the overall costs involved before you even start the process. While international adoption expenses vary greatly, your adoption agency will give you a printed fee schedule, reflective of your particular circumstances, prior to initiating the transaction.
- It is likely you may have to travel to another country, to learn about its culture, language, etc. Depending on who you are and how you view it, this can be perceived as an advantage or a disadvantage. If you intend to provide your adopted child with a sense of his or her own cultural identity and background, traveling abroad may be a relevant and necessary experience as an adoptive parent.
Cons:
- As mentioned above, traveling to another country when seeking international adoption may be viewed either as positive or negative. If you are a busy person or have a generally inflexible schedule, you may consider the travel requirement a disadvantage, and even more so if it is required that you make more than one trip to visit or if you have to stay for weeks at a time. However, not all international adoptions require substantial traveling. Many countries do not make repeated trips mandatory. In such instances, they will only ask that you visit once and stay for about one week.
- Infants available in international adoption are typically under a year old, which means a newborn infant will not be placed. At the youngest, some children may be three or four months old, depending on the country you chose.
- With international adoption, a child’s family medical history and background may not be known. Despite the fact that you will receive a child’s medical history when you receive a potential candidate’s referral, you may never become aware of the birthmother or birthfather’s health records. If this lack of disclosure is uncomfortable for you as an adoptive parent, there are additional steps you can take with genetic testing, albeit with added costs involved.
- If the child was placed from an orphanage, he or she may encounter developmental delays and/or issues related to institutionalization. Please note, however, than not all children who are placed from orphanages experience any such problems. For those who do, typically they rebound very quickly once they are exposed to and involved with a loving, supportive family to care for their individual needs.
- It may be the case that the child’s birthmother may have received inadequate, or no prenatal care at all. This rests, in large part, on the health care system of the country. Although some countries provide medical care to all their citizens, they may not provide certain aspects of preventive health care.
- With international adoption, it is less likely a child will be able to track her birthparents. Much of this depends on the record keeping of the country from which you’re adopting, as well as that of the adoption agency you’re affiliated with.
- Undoubtedly, a lot of paperwork is required throughout the process, and can seem overwhelming at times. However, the agency you are working with, in addition to the social worker associated with your home study, will provide assistance completing all the necessary forms.
It is important to examine all the considerations involved with international adoption. If you determine that international adoption is right for you, the next step is to research and decide which country you are interested in. Every country has its own laws, regulations, and procedures regarding international adoption. It is in your best interest to speak with either an experienced adoption attorney familiar with international adoption or an agency that knows the laws of the particular country you are seeking to adopt from.
If you are seeking to adopt a child and would like more information about the process, call McDowell Chartered legal services at 316-269-0746. Our experienced staff of attorneys will help you with all of your adoption questions and concerns!