Is Adoption An Option?

Adoption Trail (2016)

      Adoption over the years has become more popular than in previous years, making it very important to understand the different policies (globally and nationally) surrounding the concept of adoption. It is important to remember to carefully reflect and consider the moralities surrounding the concept and how it is presented.

      To some Adoption is seen as a reproduction technology, since it allows parents to have a child that they are incapable of having due to several factors. However, to some individuals adoption is seen, as a form of child saving. Some see adoption as child saving because most of the children adopted international are living in harsh conditions. Adoption gives them the chance to live in a fit environment because children deserve the right to normal development, both materially and spiritually (Wells, 2015).

     Personally, I see adoption as both a reproductive technology and a form of child saving. The reason is because I know when I try to have a child, I may not be able to bear my own. Adoption may be one of the options for me to ensure my dream of having a child. Child saving is being able to remove children from an unsafe or unfit environment, the adopter  is presenting and providing them a fit home for the chance of a normal development. However, we need to remember that adoption has changed over the years, especially the policies and discourses surrounding it. I would like to hear your opinion on whether  adoption is helping  children, families,  society, or all of them?

Night Light (2016)

     This article entitled International Adoption: Saving Orphans or Child Trafficking demonstrates that the concept of international adoption has not fully changed, there are the positive stories that are saving the children and have children's best interest in mind, but there are also those negative stories of adoption where the children are abducted from their families. After reading this article what do you think the governments can do to stop these negative stories from happening in the future?

Pintrest (2016)

     The meaning of adoption has changed drastically over the years, as in the past adoption was to preserve the family line, it was usually adolescents and adults being adopted to continue the family. In the past the interest of the child was not considered (United Nations, 2009). An example of the past policies is the debate of Child adoption in Ireland during 1949 till 1999. Adoption policies were in favor of the mother having all of the rights, and were formed to ensure the nuclear family stayed the norm of society. Therefore, these policies shape both the traditional and standard views of the concept of children, family structure, and the human rights of individuals (Shanhan, 2005). This shows, that adoption was not always seen as a form reproduction technology and a form of child saving. In the past adoption was being used to ensure that the social construction of family life stayed intact. However, present day policies surrounding adoption have the child's best interest in mind. According to the Massachusetts Adoption of Children Act (1851) the child whom is fourteen years of age or older must consent to his or her adoption. If the child's parents, parental or legal guardians are living they must consent to the adoption. If there is no parent, parental or legal guardian the State must consent to the adoption (United Nation, 2009). This policy is in the interest of the children, since it allows them to consent at a certain age. Lets look at how the process of adoption has changed.

     The first step of adoption is the parents giving their child up or the child losing both parents, parental or legal guardians.The reason for putting a child up for adoption has also changed, back in Ireland in the 19th century the mothers would put a child up for adoption if they were unmarried (Shanhan, 2005). However, in the present day the most common reason children are put up for adoption is due to young mothers who do not feel they can offer the child a fit environment (United Nation, 2009). Adoption is now being promoted in many different countries as a key strategy to meet the needs of children, this includes international adoption and local adoptions (United Nations, 2009)

     According to the United Nations (2009) there are over a quarter million of children and youth adopted every year worldwide. 

       This clip discusses the laws  behind adoption in the United States and why the woman in the video decided to choose adoption. However, this talks about open adoption, which allows the birth parent to still be involved in the childs' life. Do you agree with open adoption?

    Overall, adoption is trying to save children and give those families the child they want. However, the process may not be perfect and there may be some negatives, but do the negatives outweigh the positive? I believe in adoption fully, which includes international and opened adoption because I feel that these children are being given a chance.

To Learn More About the Adoption Policies Check Out This Link: United Nations Trends and Polices (2009)