Analyzing the Decline of foreign Adoptions in the United States A presentation for SIS 628 by Bridget Cooney, Katherine Scheidt, Tara Schoenborn, Marissa Lorusso and Candice Norwood
Research Question
What influences U.S. rates of international adoption?
- This presentation will unpack some of the higher-level emergent themes that have played a key role in driving adoption rates in the U.S.
Facts
In 2003, 21,654 adopted children came to the United States from other countries, according to the U.S. State Department.
This number plummeted to 7,092 adoptions by 2013.
Background
Four Waves of U.S. Adoption
Europe and parts of Asia
Central and South America
Eastern Europe
China
A Few Adoption Trends
- A fifth wave of adoptions from Africa
- Women age 40+ and single mothers (by choice)
- Increasing LGBT couple adoptions
- Open adoptions - birth mother's information known
Contributors
Economic and Human Rights
Human rights concerns and economic forces have led to fluctuations in U.S. adoption rates.
There are strong debates about how international adoption affects adopted children and developing countries.
Two Sides
The Adoption Debate
One perspective: Orphans in tumultuous countries should be provided with nurturing families abroad.
Another perspective: Domestic adoption advocates say we should focus on orphaned children here in the U.S.
Rising Adoption Costs
Developed countries drive the high demand for children with parents willing to pay high adoption costs.
Economic downturn combined with increasing regulation of the adoption industry has discouraged adoptions.
Contributors
Policy Factors
International adoption is known as a “quiet migration” because of hidden policy implications at the domestic and international levels.
International Legislation and Interest
- 1953 - Refugee Relief Act (U.S. Congress)
- 1986 - Protection & Welfare of Children (UN)
- 1989 - U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child
- 2008 - U.S. adopts Hague Convention
International Adoption Restrictions
Regulations in China restrict obese people and those with facial deformities from adopting Chinese children.
As international adoption becomes more difficult, advocates are pushing for reforms to ease the process.
Moving Forward...
Thank you!
Presenters and Researchers: Bridget, Katherine and Tara
Chief Researcher and Presentation Organizer: Marissa
Powerpoint Creator and Researcher: Candice
References
American Adoptions. (2016). Comparing the Costs of Domestic, International and Foster Care Adoption. Retrieved from http://www.americanadoptions.com/adopt/the_costs_of_adopting
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Bartholet, E. (2007). International Adoption: Thoughts on the Human Rights Issues. Buffalo Human Rights Law Review, Vol. 13, 152.
Beale, S. (2013, May 22). UNICEF Blamed for Decline in International Adoptions. National Catholic Register. Retrieved from http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/unicef-blamed-for-decline-in-international-adoptions/
CNN. (2010, August 1). Russian boy in U.S. adoption case back in orphanage, attorney says. CNN. Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/07/30/us.russia.adoption/index.html
Crary, D. (2014, March 21). Why are foreign adoptions in the US on the decline? The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/2014/0321/Why-are-foreign-adoptions-in-the-US-on-the-decline
Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (n.d.). Intercountry Adoption Statistics 1999-2013. Retrieved from https://travel.state.gov/content/adoptionsabroad/en/about-us/statistics.html
Greenblatt, A. (2011, November 17). Fewer Babies Available For Adoption By U.S. Parents. NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2011/11/17/142344354/fewer-babies-available-for-adoption-by-u-s-parents
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Voigt, K., Brown, S. (2013, September 17). International adoptions in decline as number of orphans grows. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/16/world/international-adoption-main-story-decline/
Voigt, K. (2013, September 18). International adoption: Saving orphans or child trafficking? CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/16/world/international-adoption-saving-orphans-child-trafficking/index.html
Wardle, L.D., Robertson, T. (2013). Adoptions: Upside Down and Sideways? Some Causes of and Remedies for Declining Domestic and International Adoptions. Regent University Law Review, Vol. 26, 201-270.
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