While some people are familiar with the adoption process through personal connections, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding its intricate details and steps. As someone who was adopted from South Korea, I have always been aware of this fact. My mother frequently recounts the lengthy and complex journey that led to my adoption.
From a young age, she firmly believed that adopting a child, especially from abroad, would have a profoundly positive impact on children in challenging situations. While contemplating my own future and the myriad options it holds, I continually contemplate the concept of adoption. Being an adoptee throughout my upbringing often led to feelings of bewilderment and distress. The difficulties were not solely related to being aware of my adopted status; they frequently stemmed from inquiries about the motivations behind my adoption and why I didn’t resemble my mother.
Feeling self-conscious in public with my family or having my mother visit me at school has consistently caused me shame and fear of judgment from my friends and peers. However, I eventually understood that the opinions of others are irrelevant because I am aware that my mom will always be there for me – after all, she adopted me. She exhibited great compassion by undergoing the lengthy adoption process, and her love for me persists to this day. Undoubtedly, countless individuals worldwide share similar emotions regarding adoption.
Those who have an interest in offering a loving home to a disadvantaged child may have questions regarding their eligibility, rights, and financial obligations. Furthermore, they may envision forming a harmonious connection with a thankful and joyful child. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that these children frequently encounter unique challenges of their own. Many individuals might be unaware of these hurdles and uncertain about how to approach them. When I personally learned about the possibility of adoption in my life, I realized the significance of educating myself on the adoption procedure.
This text examines the process of adoption and its consequences for adopted children. Adoption occurs when an individual becomes the long-term caretaker of a child following the termination of their parental rights. “Termination of parental rights” refers to legally releasing a child for adoption by another person. The decision to adopt has substantial impacts on both the adoptive parents and the child being adopted, underscoring the importance of approaching this choice with caution.
The adoption process starts with a Family Preparation stage where the prospective adoptive family meets with a social worker. This stage allows the family to understand more about adoption and reflect on their motivations and expectations. The process can take three to six months and involves providing personal history, health statements, criminal background check, income statement, personal references, and interviews (Adoption).
Eligibility for adoption is not discriminatory or excessively difficult. Applicants must undergo a physical examination and provide health statements, but perfect health is not required. Managing medical conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes typically would not disqualify someone from being approved to adopt, unless it significantly impacts life expectancy. Additionally, a statement of income is necessary, but having a high income or owning a home is not required to be eligible for adoption.
Even with help, it is possible to adopt as long as you have the means to support your family. The adoption process involves interviews, personal history evaluation, background screening, and obtaining references. The majority of children awaiting adoption are in foster care and staying with a temporary family. During this time, these children often experience a lack of human interaction and a feeling of not belonging while they wait for adoption. At present, there are more than 500,000 children in foster care in the United States.
According to Foster, there are currently over 500,000 children in foster care. However, not all of them are waiting for adoptive parents. The number of children needing adoption is actually lower. Two-thirds of the children who enter foster care reunite with their birth parents within two years. Nevertheless, a significant portion of children do spend long periods in care while waiting for adoption or another permanent arrangement. Deciding what is best for a child in foster care can be challenging and controversial.
Options include returning the child to their birth parents, terminating parental rights followed by adoption, or providing long-term care with foster parents or relatives. Many states encourage efforts to support and provide services to birth parents so that the child can be returned to them. These services may involve mental health or drug/alcohol treatment, parent skills training, assistance with childcare, or help finding suitable housing.
The question of where to place a child has sparked many debates focused on determining the child’s best interests.
It is widely believed that prioritizing the best interest of the child should be the main focus, but legal experts caution against potential drawbacks. Additionally, this principle extends beyond adoptive and foster homes to all households. According to Attorney Richard Crouch, this means that courts have the power to relocate a child from their biological parents and place them with another person if it seems beneficial for them (Family Law).
Crouch expresses worries about the possible outcomes of this viewpoint. He wonders what would occur if a future government, with contrasting beliefs regarding social nonconformity, tried to separate children from their parents. Presently, both the constitution and the Supreme Court safeguard against such actions, as courts cannot simply remove children from their parents solely on the presumption of a better home. Nevertheless, there is potential for family and adoption laws to alter in time. Regrettably, adopted children often experience problems such as abandonment and abuse.
The child’s struggle to comprehend and establish their identity and self-worth results in dysfunctional behavior, as they are unable to effectively manage these issues. J. Lynn Rhodes, a Family Therapist and counselor, discovered in a study of both adopted and biological children that adopted children exhibit certain behaviors more frequently. These behaviors include: an inability to express or receive affection, engaging in self-destructive actions, being cruel towards others, being insincere or deceptive, experiencing difficulties with eating, having thoughts about fire, blood or violence, forming shallow connections with strangers, engaging in substance abuse, and participating in promiscuous sexual activity (Perspectives).
These children face a range of challenges, such as dysfunctional behaviors, handicaps, or birth defects. Common issues observed in adopted children include abuse (physical, sexual, and emotional), attachment problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD), drug exposure during pregnancy, developmental disabilities, emotional disabilities, educable mental handicapped (MME), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAST), and learning disabilities.
Facing various medical conditions can be daunting for potential adoptive parents and may discourage them from adopting. In the United States, there are over 120,000 annual adoptions of children. This raises the question: Is it purely luck that determines whether adoptive parents end up with a child who has multiple medical issues, or are they adequately informed about their child’s problems? In California, a county adoption agency was recently sued and found responsible for not supplying adoptive parents with information regarding the medical and psychological history of a child (Wrongful).
It is crucial to understand that if there are suspicions of fraud, a claim against an adoption agency must be filed within six months. Reese’s claims hold validity in a court of law. Under Civil Code Section sass, an agency cannot place a child for adoption without providing written reports on the child’s background and the medical history of their birth parents, if available. Prospective adopting parents must acknowledge receiving these reports in writing.
The written report on the child’s background should include all diagnostic information known, such as current medical reports, psychological evaluation, and scholastic information. It should also include information about the child’s developmental history and family life (Wrongful). Adoptive parents have the right to know their child’s medical, scholastic, and family history. Additionally, many adopted children have already received residential treatment for issues through the adoption agency. But what if an adopted child wants to find their birth parents or siblings?
The Adoption Disclosure Laws pertain to records that require consent from the birth parents. In cases where consent is not established, there are two methods available. The first method is known as Passive Registry. This involves the registration of at least two parties with a public or private agency in order to facilitate a matching process. Some registries even mandate up to five signatures, including both adoptive parents, both birth parents, and the adopted individual (State). The second method is an Intermediary System, whereby court-approved intermediaries can have access to adoption files upon petition by either an adopted or birth parent.
The intermediary then searches for the other party to obtain consent for identifying information to be released” (State). In Kentucky, adopters 18 years of age or older may register with the Cabinet for Human Resources their desire to have contact with “pre-adoptive siblings.” If the siblings register and are eighteen years of age or older, identifying information will be released” (State). This paper only provides a basic understanding of the adoption process. A full understanding would require contact with an adoption agency and its social workers.
The decision to adopt is a highly involved decision, but one that can be achieved. The Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children does not require an adoption fee, although you may have to cover certain legal expenses when finalizing the adoption. Additionally, the approval requirements are not overly strict. These children are not seeking perfect parents as they are not perfect themselves. They carry emotional scars from a chaotic and often unstable childhood, experiencing issues particularly with attachment and trust that necessitate understanding and nurturing.
They require considerable amounts of patience and affection, but their ultimate desire is to have a family and experience a sense of belonging. I am still interested in adopting in the future. Conducting this research has not diminished my determination; instead, it has heightened my awareness of the challenges I may encounter with my prospective child and the necessary preparations I must undertake. These children grapple with the emotions of being abandoned and feeling unwanted. I possess the patience and resolve to provide love, acceptance, and a safe environment that can help them overcome their emotional wounds. Hopefully, many others share similar sentiments.
