Adoption in the News
A couple of weeks ago, the Charlotte Observer ran a front page article about adoption. (https://apnews.com/b9f77e34d24c4303af5d601d960dd661/As-number-of-adoptions-drops,-many-US-agencies-face-strains?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP). Please take a moment to read the article so you know what is happening in the adoption world!
The article describes an overall drop in adoptions in the United States as well as long wait time and potentially expensive adoption costs. The major reason behind the longer waits for adoptions is that there are far fewer international adoptions than in years past. This is due largely to the Hague Treaty, an international treaty created to help make inter- country adoption more ethical and protect children, their biological families and adoptive parents. The Hague has created challenges in the international adoption world because it puts more regulations in place that add time to the process. Ultimately, it is beneficial for children, their biological families and adoptive families as it protects them from fraud and unethical practices. Because of the long wait and uncertainty in international adoption, more families are turning to domestic adoption (either private domestic adoption or adoption through foster care).
At ASA, we believe it is important for adoptive and foster families to be cared for during the adoption process. The article describes the wait times and some of the negative emotions that can come from the adoption process- frustration, shame and an uncertainty about whom to trust. Adoption Support Alliance is here to help adoptive parents with those difficult feelings, help them know they are not alone in feeling that way and build a community around them of trustworthy professionals and adoptive parents to provide support.
Adoption is a challenging way to grow your family and is a different process from having biological children. Adoption is not bad, but it can be hard, and it's important to acknowledge the difficult parts. ASA was created to help parents and families walk through the "hard" with someone who knows the process, cares about all the members of the adoption triad (adoptive parents, bio parents and adopted children), and be available through support, education and counseling.
For those who are waiting to adopt, know that nothing has changed in the last few months, the article is just now reporting on overall trends in adoption that have changed over time. For those who are interested in adoption and would like to talk through potential issues facing potential adoptive parents in the current environment, please email us (info@adoptionsupportalliance.org) and we will gladly answer your questions. For those of you have adopted, please reach out to those in process and be an encouragement. We would love to connect you with someone who is walking a similar path that you walked to create your family. The adoption journey can be long, but a few friends and caring community members can go a long way to making the process easier!
