What Do You Know about Adoption?
I have to admit that as I was researching this article, I realized I had a few preconceived notions that were incorrect. For example, I assumed that only couples could adopt, but I learned that more and more single people contact adoption agencies in search of a child to raise on their own. I also thought that the adoption process typically took a few years, but the average wait is actually less than nine months. Finally, I was unaware that former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Gerald Ford were adopted, as well as former First Ladies Nancy Reagan and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Who Can Adopt?
Any single adult or married couple, currently with or without children, can legally adopt a child through an adoption agency. Potential adoptive parents can be divorced or handicapped, and are not required to own their own home or have a high income. Today, nearly anyone can adopt, since requirements are not as strict as they once were, and discrimination is patently illegal. In fact, potential adoptive parents are protected by the Multiethnic Placement Act, enacted by Congress in 1994, which prohibits every federally assisted adoption agency from categorically denying a potential adoptive parent the chance to adopt based solely on his or her race, color, or national origin.
Matching Children with Adoptive Parents
Birthparents who choose the adoptive parents for their child can tailor their choice based on regional, religious, ethnical, and other criteria. For example, many adoption agencies offer their birthparents selections of potential adoptive parents including photos, descriptions, and an introduction written by the birthparents.
What is the Cost of Adoption?
I was wholly unaware of the high cost of adopting, averaging $20,000 to $35,000. Some companies, however, offer adoption benefits. IBM, for example, offers paid leave and even financial reimbursement. When considering cost, you should understand that there are two types of domestic adoption agencies: public and private. The cost for going through a public adoption agency is typically less than $5,000. Private adoption agencies, however, charge much more. You should check to see if your state will reimburse some of your adoption expenses, in conjunction with a federal match program. And be aware that there are almost always additional costs associated with international adoptions.
What is an Open Adoption?
An open adoption is exactly what it sounds like: the birthparents and the adoptive parents are open and candid with each other in deciding what’s best for the child. The advantages of an open adoption underscore the importance of keeping the relationship between the birthparents and the child active. Typically, the birthparents choose the adoptive person or family. Together, the birthparents and adoptive parents create an individualized, legal plan for visitation rights, exchange of letters and photos, etc. Remember, though, that the legal relationship between the birthparents and the child is severed, even though they may continue to have contact according to the open adoption plan. An adoption agency can be a helpful tool for putting interested parties in touch with birthparents who want to select their child’s family.
By Aaron McCullough
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