For nearly ten years, China has been the first choice of many Americans wishing to adopt children from abroad. In recent years, however, that trend has been shifting. Americans may still want to adopt Chinese children, but fewer children are being made available.

“Part of the reason for the decline is competition from a growing number of Chinese families that want to adopt… In 1996, about 19,000 Chinese couples sought to adopt; by 2008, that number had jumped to 42,000. There are, however, restrictions on Chinese families, as well. Chinese couples have to be married, 35 or older, have no other children and be financially stable to be approved by the government.” Source: Centre Daily Times (PA)]

Adding to the decline in American adoptions of Chinese kids are the stricter rules China enacted regarding foreign adoption. People seeking to adopt Chinese kids must be married, heterosexual couples between the ages of 30 and 50. They have to have been married for two years, and can have no history of divorce. The new restrictions have caused a 60 percent reduction in the number of Chinese children adopted by Americans. That number isn’t likely to rebound any time soon.

Labels: international, China

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

Jessica Dreves promised a couple from Port Washington, Florida, that they could adopt her baby once she gave birth. The couple sent Dreves a total of over $7,000 during the course of her pregnancy, to cover medical expenses, food, and even clothing. Dreves was due in October, but disappeared in September.

“In March, 2009, Dreves agreed to give up her baby for adoption to a Massachusetts couple through the Iowa-based adoption agency, Abby’s One True Gift. In addition to that agreement, Dreves then answered an advertisement from Lisa and Joseph Weiner of Port Washington who were looking to adopt a baby.” [Source: Port Washington News]

After Dreves gave birth, she refused to talk to the Port Washington couple, who filed a complaint. Dreves was arrested Feb. 13 for fraud, and was arraigned July 19.

Labels: scams

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As the United States and Russia continue working to hammer out a new adoption agreement, a spokesperson from Russia’s Education Ministry has said a finalized agreement is expected by the end of the year.

“Russia is one of the largest sources of foreign adoptions for U.S. families, accounting for about 10% of foreign adoptions, but the issue has become controversial in recent years following several incidents involving the mistreatment of Russian children in the United States.” [Source: RIA Novosti]

A fourth round of talks will take place in Moscow from July 21 to 23.

Labels: international, Russia

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

Annette Baran was a clinical social worker who, in 1978, published the book that many consider the catalyst for a movement toward open adoptions.

Baran, who challenged conventional mindsets regarding adoption, died July 11 at the age of 83,

“As time went on, she also encountered many adoptees searching for their birth mothers who were in psychological pain, said Betty Jean Litton, an adoption reform advocate… Moved to crusade for open adoption, Baran joined a novel research project started by a University of California – Los Angeles psychiatrist, Dr. Arthur Sorosky, who noticed that his patients who had been adopted tended to have identity problems.” [Source: The Los Angeles Times]

Baran’s book, The Adoption Triangle, was a result of that UCLA study, and was instrumental in shaping people’s understanding of open adoption.
 

Labels: open_adoption, awareness, advocacy

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

Nearly a year ago, a baby boy was found along the side of a road in Richmond, Virginia. The infant was taken to a hospital and later placed in foster care. This week, he officially joined his “forever family.”

Eleven-month-old Nehemiah Christopher Allen appeared in court along with his adoptive parents Bridget and Terrence Allen and dozens of supporters… "It has been a journey for him, but it’s been one that we can celebrate because now he’ll have a permanent family for his future," said Shawn Rozier. [Source: WWBT (VA)]

Nehemiah is said to be very healthy and happy.

Labels: celebration, abandonment

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Spain and Italy have joined eight other countries that have suspended adoptions from Nepal, saying the country’s adoption system is neither transparent nor accountable.

“Nepal’s adoption system has been questioned by western countries following publication of a report by The Hague Conference on Private International Law, an intergovernmental organization, in February this year. The report based on an investigation by a group of lawyers accused Nepal’s adoption system of widespread abuse. It also called for suspension of adoptions from Nepal until the system is reformed.” [Source: Republic]

The United States hasn’t suspended adoptions from Nepal, but it has issued an alert to those considering adopting a child from the country, encouraging them to take extra steps to ensure the accuracy of adoption files.

Labels: international

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

New legislation in India would give equal rights to adoptive mothers. Until now, when a married couple adopted a child, only the father was listed as the child’s guardian.

The proposed amendment to the 120 year-old Guardians and Wards Act, 1890, includes the mother along with the father to be appointed as guardian, making the process gender neutral.

The parliamentary standing committee on law and justice, which is examining the bill to amend the existing laws, is unanimous in its acceptance of the Personal Laws (Amendment Bill, 2010, introduced in the Rajya Sabha in April. [Source: The Hindustan Times]

Prior to the amendment, a mother had no rights over an adopted child if, for some unfortunate reason, her husband passed away.

Labels: international, adoption rights, mothers

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

In 1976, Ron Ryba and his wife made the difficult decision to place their infant son with an adoptive family. In 2008, when parents and child reunited, DNA tests showed no relation between Ryba and his wife and the boy whom Catholic Charities said was theirs. To date, they don’t know what happened to their son.

“Ryba’s efforts to enlist Catholic Charities’ assistance in unraveling the mystery met with resistance. The agency argued that federal privacy laws prevented them from releasing records that contained ‘medical data.’ And when it asked a New Jersey Superior Court for guidance, the judge agreed.” [Source: The Baltimore Sun]

Ryba has written letters to the State Attorney General, and a New Jersey state senator asking for help. He has repeatedly said he has no interest in suing Catholic Charities. He just wants to know what happened to his son.

Labels: laws

Posted By: Adoption Issues 0 Comments

Father’s Day in America is a time for people to reflect on, and give thanks for, the love and guidance they received from their fathers. Michael Reagan, who was adopted by former President Ronald Reagan and his wife, reflects on what fatherhood really means.

“You see, fatherhood isn’t a blood right nor is it an entitlement. The title ‘father’ is one that must be worked at, and ultimately, it is one that must be earned. And for those of us fortunate enough to have grown up with a father [who] invested in our lives, we must ensure we work to develop the same or an even stronger bond with our own children.” [Source: Chillicothe (OH) Gazette]

On Father’s Day, and every other day of the year, we remember and honor dads who teach us that fatherhood is a choice.


 

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

In Bulgaria, an abandoned child’s likelihood of being adopted has historically been determined by his origins. Children who belonged to the Roma minority had little chance, because parents often refused to give up their parental rights – even for children they’d placed in orphanages.

“But a new law that came into force in October means children who have spent more than six months in institutions and have not been taken back by their parents can now be put up for adoption, without the parents’ approval.” [Source: Agence France Presse (AFP)]

Bulgaria has one of the highest rates of child abandonment in the European Union. An estimated 6,700 children are currently being cared for in state-run institutions, many of them placed there by parents who can’t afford to care for them. Of those, less than 700 were adopted in 2009, mostly due to un-relinquished parental rights.

Labels: international, abandonment

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