International Adoption
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The three video clips to the right are about seven minutes each, and are packed with personal experience and insightful international adoption information. Read below for additional facts, resources and Tapestry Book recommendations.
International Adoption Overview
The Process
Each year over 20,000 foreign-born children are adopted by families in the United States making international adoption a very viable option for prospective parents to consider. The international adoption process (video: right) follows progressive steps of paperwork and parent education; making careful choices about an agency and an adoption professional will help ensure a successful outcome, and will help parents learn about the very personal aspect of adoptive parenting.
The Decision: Transracial or Same Race Adoption?
Before deciding to adopt internationally across racial lines, parents need to understand the importance of helping a child “claim” his or her cultural and racial heritage, in a relational, authentic way with others of the ethnicity. Children being raised within a Caucasian family will experience issues with racism; making the decision to adopt transracially (video: right) involves the parents’ willingness to help the child face these challenges.
Family Issues in Transracial Adoption
Adoption is a lifetime process. An international adoptee needs to feel supported by his or her family, and family discussions about adoption and racial issues (video: right) need to updated and revisited on a regular basis. Prospective moms and dads should assess their abilities to be open and flexible, as transracial international adoption requires parents to become educated advocates for their children.
Quick Facts:
| |
Adoptions '06 |
Time |
Children < 1year |
Gender |
Estimated Cost |
Childcare System |
| China |
6,493 |
slow |
25-49% |
mostly girls (95%) |
$20-25,000 |
orphanage |
| Russia |
3,706 |
average |
<25% |
even |
$30,000+ |
orphanage |
| Korea |
1,376 |
slow |
>75% |
more boys (60%) |
$20-25,000 |
fostercare |
| Ethiopia |
732 |
average |
25-49% |
even |
$15-20,000 |
orphanage |
| Haiti |
309 |
average |
<25% |
even |
$15-20,000 |
orphanage |
| Vietnam |
163 |
fast |
50-75% |
more girls (60%) |
$20-28,000 |
orphanage |
Adoption information on sending countries changes frequently, please verify.
Helpful Books from Tapestry:
Tapestry Picks: Memorable Reads for the Adoption Process
A few of our favorite books of parent-to-parent wisdom
CHINA: Blessings from China: An Adoption Story
RUSSIA: Two Little Girls: A Memoir of Adoption
EASTERN EUROPE: Hungarian Rhapsody: An Adoption Story
KOREA: A Euro-American on a Korean Tour at a Thai Restaurant in China
ETHIOPIA: There Is No Me Without You: One Woman's Odyssey to Rescue Country's Children
Join one of these Online communities:
Yahoo List of International Adoption Groups
Yahoo List of Transracial Adoption Groups
Consult these websites to stay up to date:
U.S. State Department Intercountry Adoption News
U.S. State Department Adoption Information
JCICS The Joint Council for International Children’s Services (JCICS) is one of the oldest and largest membership associations of licensed non-profits international adoptions agencies, child advocacy groups, parent support groups and medical clinics.
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Inter-Country Adoptions
About the Video :
Adoption Explained International: A Comprehensive Look at the Processes and Issues of International Adoption is a humanistic approach to exploring the issues of adoption that affect the family. Adoption is a very rewarding path to family building - for first time parents and "veterans" alike - but the journey can be very complicated and stressful with many considerations. This program aims to empower you by providing information to help you begin your journey.
This DVD is a thought-provoking examination of the more emotional side of adoption and how certain decisions will affect your family dynamic for years to come. We interviewed leading experts in the field of adoption on several topics related to adopting internationally. Many of these topics are universally relevant and will be helpful to those considering domestic adoption as well. BUY THE DVD
About the Producer:
Healthvues is an interactive digital publisher specializing in personal education with a compassionate, humanistic perspective. We identify, develop and produce healthcare, wellness and family-building educational titles using the latest computer/web interactive, DVD and home theatre technologies.
 Through strategic production partnerships with healthcare and industry professionals, companies and niche-market experts, Healthvues develops interactive educational titles from a humanistic viewpoint and present often complex and clinical subject matter in an accessible and approachable format for the average viewer. These teams are comprised of leading authoritative and recognizable experts in the given field, production and development experts and everyday people who bring personal experience and insight to our programs.
copyright 2008 by Tapestry Books |
