Child Adoptions - Research Paper Example

Child Adoptions Outline Introduction Discussion Conclusion Works Cited Modernity has brought with it a new dawn. Trends that might have been seen as unconventional before have started to be embraced. Child adoption is an aspect that has been common in recent times. This can be attributed to the dynamisms that characterize modernity. However, adoption is a procedural practice that is both legally and emotionally involving. As a result, the process of adoption has legal stipulations which one must adhere to. There are two forms of adoption: international and domestic. Domestic adoption is carried out within a native country of the child. On the other hand, international adoption involves adopting a child from a foreign country. Of the two, international adoption is more involving and hectic. The following discourse seeks to assert that international adoption is more complicated than the domestic one. Introduction Child adoption refers to the process through which a person who is not the biological parent of a child assumes parental responsibilities. The process entails the transfer of all rights and privileges of having the child thereby making one responsible for the child’s welfare. Most common reason for adoption is barrenness (Bharat 32). Unlike guardianship in which a person takes care of a child belonging to the biological parents, adoption provides one with permanent ownership of the child thereby taking full responsibilities and rights of parenting the child. These include renaming the child which is always giving the child a new family name. Additionally, the child assumes the rights and privileges of the new family. Adopted children have the right to inheritance, and consideration in important family functions. The process is emotionally engaging and requires effective consideration. There are two types of adoption: domestic and the international adoptions. International adoption involves adopting a child from another country. On the contrary, the domestic adoption involves adopting a child in the same country that one resides in. Owing to the legal, emotional, and psychological aspects involved, international adoption comes out as a complicated process especially when compared to the domestic process. Discussion International adoption would most likely introduce a child to a totally different culture an aspect that may lead to culture shock. Consequently, getting used to a new culture in the case of international adoption would mean that it is more complicated especially if compared with the domestic one where one is mostly likely to be adopted within the same culture. This is normally the case since the international adoption involves taking a child to a new country. In such a case, the child would be exposed to a new experience since the demographical differences between the adopting and country of origin would be quite imminent. A child would therefore find it quite difficult to cope up with life in the new country. As expected, it would take some time before an adopted child fully adapts to life in the new country. This contributes to the complication in the process in case of international adoption. Legal and constitutional differences between countries complicate international adoption. Individual countries have their own regulations and legal practices which their citizens must adhere to before adopting a child. This is usually outlined in the constitutions. The differences in the legal frameworks between countries thus come as a hurdle while adopting a child. For instance, some countries outlaw homosexuality. In such countries, a couple which is homosexual would not be allowed be considered as married. In other nations, people who are homosexuals adopt children who they take care of (Leslie 22). Therefore, an international adoption where a gay person would seek to adopt a child from a country where homosexuality is outlawed would be complicated. This highlights how the process of international adoption might be complicated in the case of countries with conflicting legal laws. The verifications that one must go through in case of international adoption makes it quite an involving process when compared to the domestic process. This is because the native country of the child to be adopted must be guaranteed that the intention is to improve the welfare of the child. In addition, international adoption encourages unethical business practices since some of the adoption bureaus engage in unscrupulous activities and may present stolen children for adoption (Jarratt 22). In addition, there is the risk of modern day slavery or even child trafficking. To overcome such possibilities, the process of adopting a child across borders is complicated by the procedural bureaucracies. This complicate the process. Normally, the checks are in place to protect and safeguard the welfare of the child. It is these checks that complicate the process when compared to domestic adoption. The adoption process is an extremely complicated process that requires the extensive involvement of both parties. To oversee the process, governments set several legislations which seek to safeguard the interests of both the child and the adopting family. Stereotypes still exist in our societies. For instance, racial profiling is an issue which cannot be overlooked in the modern day society. International adoption exposes one to such social injustices and discriminative tendencies. This comes from the fact that the adoption process might involve one of a different race. Stigmatization and stereotyping adopted children arises from prejudice from the other members of the society. While the parents of such children may manage to conceal their background information, some members of the society who become privy to such information may use it to blackmail or to traumatize the children thereby affecting their growth and development (Silverstein and Kaplan 21). For instance, if an African child is adopted by Italian, the child is likely to face social issues owing to racial prejudices. All these social issues collectively contribute to the complexity that surrounds international adoption. This is because all such factors have to be considered before one is adopted. This is unlike in domestic adoption where the population is most likely to be homogenous. Any cross border transaction is usually complicated by the economic and financial implications. Likewise, international adoption is likely to be more financially demanding than the domestic one. This comes from the fact that the adopting parent would be viewed as a foreign. Consequently, there are levies and fees that would be charged based on the fact that one would be taken as a foreigner (Babb and Laws 16). Partly, this contributes to the complexity that surrounds international adoption especially when it is compared to the domestic one. Besides, the life of a child after being adopted to a new country is of ultimate importance to the parties involved. The psychological implication of international adoption conclusively makes it more complex when compared to domestic adoption. The process of fairly giving information in the course of adoption is more complicated in the international than the domestic process. The process dictates that the adopting parent reveals the identification information of the child to their biological parents. The two parties understand the terms of the adoption but still avail such information to the biological parents. The process should also permit visits and interactions with blood relations. This creates an enabling environment in which the adopted child may finally reunite with his or her biological family when they become adults and capable of making their own independent decisions (Bharat 44). Open adoption is more prevalent in domestic adoptions in which the adopting parents can easily trace the biological parents and share such information with them. This contributes to the creation of more cohesive societies. The features of international adoptions complicate the process of availing information since biological parents are in different countries and may not afford the cost of transportation to trace their children. This creates room for exploitation by the adopting parents who have the economic ability. This is why the process of international adoption is perceived to be complicated. In international adoption, the process of reunion is usually complicated thus contributing to the complexity of the whole adoption process. An adoption mechanism should enable the children to reunite with their families once they become adults should they feel like. Of the two, domestic adoption appears to have the abilities to permit reunion of families. Through its open form, it permits constant interaction between the adopted children with their biological families. The biological parents access the adoption information and can interact with their child occasionally. Through such visits, the child grows up to develop a personality capable of making sound decisions on a reunion with the biological family. Additionally, the fact that the biological families are residents of the same country makes the interaction and reunion process easier. In case of international adoption, reunions are rare. In case they happen, they are usually complicated since the demographic barriers and political boundaries between countries complicate the process (Robinson 12). In some instances, the distance is usually also a factor which contributes to the complication of reunions in case of international adoptions. Conclusion Adoption seeks to improve the welfare of the involved child. A child can be adopted within the same country in the case of domestic adoption while one can also be adopted to a foreign country. Most people prefer adopting younger children. At earlier ages, people are likely to adapt to the new environments (Varnis 31). In both cases, international adoption is the most complicated. This is because it entails demanding procedural practices which must be met before one is allowed to adopt a child. In addition, the emotional and psychological change that the child goes through makes it more complicated. In other aspects, the existing legal or constitutional differences between adopting countries usually present another hurdle making international adoption more complicated. Therefore, it is true to state that international adoption is complicated. Works Cited Babb, Linda A., and Rita Laws. Adopting and Advocating for the Special Needs Child: A Guide forParents and Professionals. Westport, Conn.: Bergin & Garvey, 1997. Print. Bharat, Shalini. Child Adoption: Trends and Emerging Issues: A Study of Adoption Agencies. Bombay: Tata Institute of Social Sciences, 1993. Print. Jarratt, Claudia J. Adoption [i.e. Adopting] an Older Child. S.l: s.n, 1970. Print. Leslie, Doty. "Adoption Policy in the United States: A Word of Caution." Social Work 45.2 (2000): 183-6. ProQuest. Web. 1 July 2013. Robinson, Grace. Older Child Adoption. New York: Crossroad Publishing, 1997. Print. Silverstein, Deborah, and Roszia Kaplan. "Openness: A Critical Component of Special Needs Adoption." Child Welfare 78.5 (1999): 637-51. ProQuest. Web. 1 July 2013. Varnis, Steven L. "Regulating the Global Adoption of Children." Society 38.2 (2001): 39-46. ProQuest. Web. 1 July 2013. Read More