Between 1995 and 2005, more than 60,000 Chinese children were adopted by Americans. As China has eased its one-child policy, the number of kids available for adoption has decreased, and adoption of special needs children has begun to rise.

Amy Eldridge of the Oklahoma-based Love Without Boundaries Foundation, which oversees several programs to aid Chinese orphans, says many children with birth defects  boys as well as girls  are abandoned, and they now comprise a majority of the orphan population. "Some parents feel the child will bring bad luck to their family," said Eldridge. [Source: Chicago Post-Tribune]

In addition, a Chinese family planning commission reported that birth defects increased 50 percent between 2001 and 2006. Adoption agencies that place special needs children urge potential adoptive parents to carefully consider the benefits and challenges of adopting a special needs child.

Labels: international, China

Posted By: Aspen/CRC