As a birth mother particularly interested in ethical issues in adoption, I am still puzzled by many of the stories I read about international adoptions. I am not naive enough to believe that every news article about the corruption, etc. in certain countries is necessarily accurate and impartial.

People have their own agendas, and some journalists figure that sensationalizing the news about international adoptions sells newspapers. For that reason, I do not believe all that I read. However, when I keep hearing similar stories on a consistent basis, I do take note. Here are some of the conclusions that I have reached:

Parents seem to develop a loyalty and interest in a country where they adopted. There is absolutely nothing unusual or abnormal about that. However, when excess corruption or unethical practices are uncovered in a country, it makes sense to me that one might reconsider adopting again from that same country again unless changes occur. Despite country loyalty, why ignore warnings and take the risk of an unethical adoption?

When I read about choosing a country to adopt internationally, ethical practices rarely seems to be the first priority. I suppose that the same is also true in domestic adoptions. However, why are ethics not at the top of everyone's list? I scan articles about how to choose a country or agency and often see no mention of ethics.

Of course, children in countries with ethical issues being highlighted deserve families as much as any child. However, don't countries have more incentive to clean up adoption practices if they discover that potential adoptive parents become leery about adopting from their countries when they receive bad press?

Aren't there plenty of other countries to adopt from that have better reputations for ethical practices? I keep remembering my son telling me about his cousin who adopted a child last year. I mentioned in a previous blog that he told me that it took her longer to adopt because she turned down several placements because "things didn't seem quite right."

Do agencies count on adoptive parents being "hooked" and unwilling to turn down a placement once the process is underway? I know that some adoption.com bloggers have turned down placements - I recall that Erin did so. Doesn't that send a clear message to countries or agencies that refuse to abide by laws in place?

The State Department even mentions problems that exist in certain countries. Do adopting parents routinely pay attention and heed these warnings? International adoptions seem to be an extremely touchy subject, and nearly every time I venture into this arena, tempers flare and some adoptive parents become angry.

Are adoptive parents who adopt internationally criticized so frequently that they are now extremely hyper sensitive? It seems that to question any aspect of international adoptions equates in some minds to suggesting that some countries cease adoptions until their bad practices are resolved. Aren't their other possible solutions?

At the very least, it seems prudent to pay attention to what the State Department and others in the know say about adopting from certain countries. I would love an explanation as to why anyone feels that it is wise to ignore warnings and advice about the inadvisability of adopting in certain countries.

Further Reading:

State Department Information by State

Choosing a Country

Books on Adopting Internationally

Little Pearls Adoption Agency

Adoption ABCs - Research

Photo by Jan Baker 2007