Domestic vs. International Adoption
This article is reprinted with permission from American Adoptions
Domestic Adoption vs. International Adoption
Myth vs. Truth
Cost
Many couples are often overwhelmed by the cost when they begin looking into adoption. There are many factors that contribute to the cost of an adoption, including the cost of the legal work, advertising fees, travel expenses, and birth mother expenses.
One very common misconception is the cost difference between international and domestic adoption. It is commonly believed that international adoption costs far less than domestic adoption, however this is not true. The truth is that, while each adoption has its own set of special circumstances which can influence the cost, domestic and international adoption costs are very similar.
Both domestic and international adoption have their own unique costs. For example, couples adopting domestically will not have to worry about the cost of a visa, which couples adopting internationally much budget for. Likewise, couples adopting domestically may be asked to provide some living expenses for the expectant mother, such as help with rent or utility payments, an expense that is not typically seen in international adoptions.
According to the National Council for Adoption, domestic and intercountry adoptions can cost $8,000-$40,000, typically falling in the $15,000-$25,000 range. In comparison, according to Adoptive Families magazine, the estimated cost for a Chinaadoption – which is the No.1 nation for international adoption in the U.S. – is $20,000-$25,000. The estimated cost for aGuatemala adoption is $25,000-$30,000 and a Russia adoption is estimated to cost $30,000-$40,000. Couples adopting internationally should also be prepared to travel to the country they are adopting from for a period that could range from a few days to several weeks. Multiple visits may also be necessary. Couples contemplating international adoption should carefully research the travel requirements for the countries they are considering adopting from.
Waiting Time
The time a couple waits to receive the placement of a child also depends on many factors. Another common misconception is that couples adopting internationally have a shorter wait time. While it is difficult to assess the wait time at other domestic adoption agencies, approximately 90 percent of the families working with American Adoptions wait an average of 1-18 months. International adoptions also vary, according to the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services – the governmental body that tracks international adoptions by American citizens – the average wait for a China adoption can now be over two year, while couples pursuing a Russia adoption may wait up to eighteen months.
Children Available
Children of all ages are available for adoption in the U.S. However, one myth very common in American society is that it is difficult to adopt a healthy newborn in the U.S. The National Council for Adoption estimates that there are approximately 25,000 U.S.-born children placed for adoption each year. While there are older children, and children with special needs, available for adoption, the truth is that thousands of healthy newborns are also adopted domestically each year.
The number of children adopted internationally is very similar to those adopted domestically. The U.S. Department of State reported 20,679 immigrant visas issued to orphans entering the U.S. in 2006.
Just as there are children of all ages available for adoption in the U.S. , the typical age of child adopted internationally also varies, depending greatly on the country of origin and its adoption policies. While some countries do place infants with American families, other countries have strict adoption mandates that only makes the adoption of an older child available to foreign families. Additionally, some countries have very long adoption processes. While an American couple may initially be matched with an infant, by the time the legal process is carried out and the family is able to bring the child home, the child is several months older.
For 2006, the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services reported that 52 percent of the children adopted fromChina in 2006 were 1-4 years in age. Forty-four percent were under the age of 1. In contrast, 80 percent of the children adopted from Guatemala were under the age of 1, while 16 percent were 1-4 years in age. A majority of the children (65 percent) adopted from Russia were 1-4 years old, while just 8 percent were under the age of 1.
Medical and Social History
One very great difference between domestic and international adoption is the availability of the medical and social history of the child and their birth parents.
The medical history of children adopted internationally is often very sparse, if available at all. It is common for couples to adopt a child internationally without any knowledge of the child’s medical history. Information regarding the social history of the child’s birth parents – such as family medical history or any possible exposure to drugs or alcohol while the child was in the womb – is also often not available and the effects of such exposure are often not recognized until after the child is placed with a family.
However, the medical and social history of children adopted domestically is typically available. Couples adopting domestically are provided the medical records of the child, and are apprised of any social history of the birth parents pertaining to the child. Some agencies make this information available to families prior to entering into an adoption agreement, giving them the choice of accepting the match based on those factors or not.
Couples adopting an older child should also be prepared for attachment issues and feelings of grief and loss. Soon after birth, newborns begin the process of identifying with a caregiver. If a child is not provided consistent care by a familiar person, such as the case of children in orphanages, then the child is not able form an attachment. Couples adopting older children – even if the child is a few months old at the time of placement – may have difficulty in forming this parent/child bond. Attachment disorder can be severe and can impact the family dynamic. Couples adopting a child other than a newborn are encouraged to research attachment disorders prior to adopting an older child.
Legal Concerns
Domestic and international adoption also have their own unique legal concerns.
Couples adopting internationally should fully research the adoption process required by each country. Each country has its own set of legal mandates governing adoption that must be met before the adoption is finalized
One legal concern in domestic adoption is the myth that the child’s biological parents may come back years later and take the child back. This is also a common argument against open and semi-open adoptions, as many people are lead to believe that contact with the birth parents will lead to the birth parents’ desire to revoke their consent, even after the adoption is finalized. For this reason, many couples believe that international adoptions are “safer,” due to the fact that there is routinely no contact with the birth parents in international adoptions prior to and after the completion of the adoption.
The fact is that once an adoption is finalized by the U.S. courts, the adoptive family is recognized as the child’s family by law. Although adoption laws vary state to state, the laws remain very clear. Despite sensationalized media stories in a few high-profile cases, post-adoption revocations are extremely rare and are usually a result of illegal or unsound legal practices.
Weighing the Options
When it comes to choosing between international and domestic adoption, there are many factors to consider. Couples should do their best to fully research each of these adoption avenues and then weigh their options. While domestic adoption may be a better fit for couples seeking a newborn, other couples may prefer to adopt a child from another country to add cultural diversity to their family. Whether it is domestic or international, couples should choose an adoption plan that not only meets their adoption desires, but is also one that they are fully comfortable with.