Much has been reported recently about Dutch diplomat Raymond Poeteray and his wife, who have relinquished their parental rights for a daughter whom they adopted from Hong Kong six years ago. The couple sited the girl's emotional problems and inability to adapt to Dutch culture as reasons for their decision.

"After six years of raising a child, this is like giving away your own flesh and blood. Should there be a no-return policy on adoptions?... When parents no longer want a child, there is no good way to handle the situation."

The author of this opinion piece in a New Brunswick paper uses the Poeterays situation to remind others how serious the decision is to adopt. It's not something that should be entered into lightly, because significant damaged can be caused to the child if things don't work out. Read more at DailyTargum.com

Copper Canyon Academy, an all girls boarding school, gives troubled girls a place to deal with their emotions in a positive way while receiving a high school education. Learn more about boarding schools for girls at CopperCanyonAcademy.com.

Labels: parental_rights, responsibilities, risks

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Everyone involved in the adoption process is vulnerable. The birth parents, the adoptive family, the adoption agency, and certainly the child are all taking on a certain amount of risk before, during and even after an adoption.

"When you take all of that vulnerability, and throw in a whole lot of emotions and big chunks of money, it is easy to understand how easily the situations can be taken advantage of. As much as we like to think that everyone working in adoption is in it because they want to help needy children, the reality is that adoption is a 'job' for many. There are many with good intentions and there are some lacking in the good intentions department."

Some birth parents and adoptive families feel they're at the mercy of adoption agencies, but there are things that can be done to limit the risk and vulnerability. Do plenty of research about adoption agencies and learn what "red flags" to look for. Ask a lot of questions. Don't feel embarrassed or pressured. You're making decisions that will affect several lives, and you have every right to understand the process and have your concerns or doubts addressed. Read more at AdoptionBlogs.com.

Teen drug use is generally the result of teens who can't deal with their emotions. Learn how to help your teen at Adolescent-Substance-Abuse.com.

Labels: pressures, risks, vulnerability

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments