A study conducted by four economists with the Centre for Economic Policy and Research has revealed that Caucasian, Hispanic and female babies are more likely to be adopted than are African-American or male infants.

A Jan. 25 article by Catherine Rampell of the New York Times provided the following details about the study, which involved the analysis of five years of data on more than 800 adoptable children:

The authors found that girls are consistently preferred to boys. For non-African-American babies, for example, the probability that a prospective adoptive parent expresses interest in such a baby is 11.5 percent if the baby is a girl and 7.9 percent if the baby is a boy.

Interestingly, in many cultures the preference for biological children runs in the opposite direction, with parents strongly preferring boys instead of girls. The authors suggest that this preference for girls in cases of adoptive children may be because adoptive parents "fear dysfunctional social behavior in adopted children and perceive girls as 'less risky' than boys in that respect."

Additionally, Caucasians and Hispanics are consistently preferred to African-Americans. The probability that a non-African-American baby will attract the interest of an adoptive parent is at least seven times as high as the corresponding probability for an African-American baby.

Labels: gender, research, race

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

Butler County, Ohio's adoption policy is a source of controversy because it does something that the state adoption laws don't: It gives preference to married couples.

The conflict, according to the four-page opinion signed ... by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Roger Gates, is that the Butler County rule adds a line that would put married couples before single parents, unmarried couples, and same-sex couples in adoption cases. Even though these groups would not be excluded from adopting ... the rule does place a priority on placing children with married couples. (Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer)

The policy, which was quietly enacted by outgoing agency Director Michael Fox, was suspended in late March pending a legal review.

Labels: adoption rights, same-sex couples, single_parenting, unmarried couples, controversy

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

Denis and Paula Pitman first met Emily when, at age five months, she came to live with them as a foster child. Three years later, her biological mother gave up her parental rights, and Emily was sent to live with her biological father.

"The father took her from the Pitmans'... home to northwestern Montana, but within days, he called the Pitmans because Emily was upset and wanted to come home. For three months late in 2007, the girl was passed back and forth between the families, with the Pitmans driving more than 700 miles round-trip to collect her each time her biological father asked for help."

Then Emily's biological father died of a drug overdose. There was red tape to cut through, but eventually the court approved the Pitmans as Emily's adoptive parents. Emily now calls Paula Pitman her "forever mommy." Source: Montana Standard

Labels: foster_care, parental_rights

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

When many people begin to entertain the idea of adoption, the question that plagues them the most is, "Is adoption right for me?" There is ample information pertaining to adoption costs, processes and waiting times, but how do people determine whether they should even begin the process?

"Locate living resources. You don't need to wear a button saying 'I'm considering adopting: tell me your story.' Just bring up the subject in conversation and you'll be surprised at how many experiences will pop out of people you barely know."

Consider your ability to be patient with a child who will act out for seemingly no reason, and may be very emotionally needy. Don't be overly pessimistic, but be realistic about the emotional energy you'll have to invest. Evaluate both the pros and cons of the situation and your personal needs and desires. Source: Monterey County Herald

Labels: adoption costs, prospective_parents, adoption_process

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

In a letter to an adoption columnist for ABS-CBN, a woman expresses concern over her sister-in-law's recent "adoption," a process which consisted of a falsified birth certificate. Her primary question is, "Is this adoption legal?"

"...you are right to be concerned. NO adoption occurred. Instead, a crime occurred, the falsification of a birth certificate, and everyone involved can go to jail... the lawyer who prepared the false certificate of birth can be disbarred..."

Adoption processes exist for the protection of both the parents and the children. Yes, they can take a long time, and waiting can be excruciating. But the alternative is to participate in a process that's not legal and could result in removal of the child. Source: ABS-CBN News

Labels: birth_certificates, legitimacy, legal

Posted By: Adoption Issues 0 Comments

Fort was already a teenager when he moved from Tanzania to Iowa. Though the adjustment was hard, he has managed to learn to speak English almost fluently and now looks like a typical American teen. But his life in America isn't secure.

"[Robin] Barber officially adopted Fort in Tanzania last summer and in Iowa in December, only to learn that at 17 he's too old to become a U.S. citizen as her son. And his student visa expires next month."

Barber and the rest of her family aren't sure how to resolve their situation, which is the result of what she calls "really poor advice." She has appealed to Iowa senators to write a law specific to Fort's case, but they're hesitant. Fort's biological family already approved the adoption, which Barber hopes will work in her - and her new son's - favor. Source: The Leaf Chronicle

Labels: legislation, citizenship, adoption_rights

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 1 Comment

Jeanne Reyer is the Executive Director of Captain Hope's Kids, a Texas-based charity that seeks to meet the needs of children living in homeless shelters, group homes and domestic-abuse safe houses. Reyer often asks herself why the majority of couples choose international adoption when there are so many kids in the US who are in need of stable, loving homes.

"'Why is everyone going to Russia and China? There are 114,000 children in this country waiting for permanent families,' Jeanne said."

Ray and Brandy Harris first considered international adoption, thinking it would be easier and faster. But health issues disqualified them with several international agencies so they began to look domestically. Now, after having adopted two brothers, the Harris high-energy house has become home to Martin and Zachary.

Labels: safe_houses, homelessness, domestic_adoptions

Posted By: Staff Writer 1 Comment

When parenting teens or any child with emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues, parents tend to look at what needs to be fixed. "My child is unable to self regulate so maybe she needs therapy..." Or, "My teen has anger management issues and needs to work through that." Or, "Now that my son has been diagnosed as bipolar, where will we find a child psychiatrist?"

Sometimes parents, teachers, and even service providers forget that the ultimate goal is to develop socially well adjusted and emotionally stable kids. Occasionally, it's beneficial to step back from the process of improving behaviors and fixing the problems, to contemplating the hoped-for results.

What's on your list of what a well-adjusted child or teen should be like? Are they attached to parents and family? Do they have solid friendships? Do they stay in school? Will they find a job they love?

A new perspective will not change the difficulties, but it does provide an opportunity to refocus on the hopeful positive outcomes, rather than the drudgery of addressing challenging issues.

Labels: health, mental_health

Posted By: Staff Writer 1 Comment

After years of being foster parents and applying to formally adopt one of their foster kids, a Dayton, Ohio, couple is having second thoughts. They recently asked Dr. Gregory Ramey if he felt it was too late – or even appropriate – for them to back out.

“It’s unclear if your expectations are unrealistic, or if your 4-year-old is truly having problem that may require professional help. I’m more concerned about your apparent lack of commitment to this little boy. If you and your husband feel you are unable to completely commit to this child, you need to have a frank discussion immediately with the child’s caseworker.” (Source: Dayton Daily)

Adoption is obviously a serious decision. And, as Dr. Ramey says to this couple, commitment to a child must be absolute – in both good times and bad. For those who are considering adoption, it’s OK to decide that it’s a commitment for which you’re not ready. But it’s also a decision that should be made long before the process is started.
 

Labels: foster care, adoptive_parents

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment