Shipping Babies Abroad, foreigners adopting US babies Options

[Spirited Away]

So I skimmed over an article titled "Why are American Babies being ADOPTED ABROAD" in People Magazine's June publication and it strikes me as odd.

Many Europeans and Canadians wish to parent African Amerian babies and have been adopting them for years now, but a lot of us just haven't been noticing or thought about the possibility much. How do you feel about it?

According to the article, the defense for sending these kids overseas has to do with our country's "racial politics" and that there is an "adoption hierarchy" that places White children at the top and Black children at the bottom. In other countries, however, it seems these children are in demand.

Now, what's the problem? Our government may "ratify an international treaty that would require adoption agencies to make every effort to place children in their birth countries before allowing them to go abroad". Why? Many people feel that international adoption is "covert racism". Another article online says Whites adopting Blacks babies is a form of "cultural genocide".

My question is do you, or do you not, agree with such a treaty?



How do I feel about it? Tom Hanks says it best: "Make peace where it is precious. Help plant trees. Help embrace diversity and celebrate difference..."

I think all these kids need are loving homes. If they can't find this home in the US, then they must be able to find it elsewhere, or at least, they must have the choice to find it elsewhere. Indeed there is a cultural setback and I recognize this very valid point. However, a loving home includes understanding parents. These children will grow up. They will be curious. They will ask questions. HOWEVER, they will know. How can it be possible to hide or lie about skin color? They will learn who they are. Their heritage will not be lost to them. The US will not be lost to them. The only way it can happen is if they don't want to learn.

[*not_your_average*]

To me, if a Korean baby can be adopted by US parents, then why can't US babies be adopted by foreign parents?

[sammi rules you]

i don't see a problem with it at all. i'm sure if it was white parents adopting white babies, no one would blink an eye. sure, the kid will figure out "this isn't right.." , but most adopted kids eventally figure out or find out that they were adopted.

we shouldn't base adoptions on race. that's discrimination, and there's not enough parents to go around in the US for US babies. why not place them somewhere where this is loving parents to take care of them?

[aera]

well, i heard that many people in the US want to adopt from foreign countrie because they dont want african american babies... and since people in the US dont want them and canadians and europeans do, then why not?
i think its terrible how people are still so racist here... the only reason why i would care about the race was if i wanted the child to look somewhat like me so i can avoid questions like "how come your child is a different race?" of course, it would be obvious, but still...

[not_for_anything]

Wow now the government tells us who we can and cannot raise, If people want white kids, then we shouldnt make laws saying "no!!! you cannot have a white one, here take this cute little yellow one", its ridiculous.

[JlIaTMK]

^ Sweetie, the government has been telling us to do things for a long time, including many discrimination based policies.

[madchenallein]

I read that article, I found it very interesting and I hadn't known that was happening either. I don't have children personally. I am actually voluntarily sterilized. It was a decision I made after several years of research and introspection. There are so many children out there who need good homes, that if I ever change my mind, my husband and I decided before the operation not to try to reverse it, but to adopt a baby. The way I see it, if someone is irresponsible enough to get pregnant when she can't keep the baby, then whoever is willing and eager to take the child and give it a good, loving home should be allowed to have it. Concerns about culture and race are definitely secondary, especially if you're measuring against Maslow's heirarchy of needs, which is pretty much the first concern. Once the baby is old enough, if it's skin color is different, it will start asking questions. People who object to interracial adoption should shut up or put up if they object that strongly, there wouldn't BE a problem if they'd take care of their own, red, yellow, black, white, green, WHATEVER.

[not_for_anything]

I am aware the government has been telling us what to do, Im just in shock that now people are really going to comply with this law.

[Spirited Away]

People are going to comply with the law because a lot of people are okay with it, support it.

People have actually walked up to a White parent of an adopted Black child telling her to stick to her own race. It's not just the government that ordering it, civilians are supporting it.

Concerns about culture and race are definitely secondary, especially if you're measuring against Maslow's heirarchy of needs, which is pretty much the first concern.  Once the baby is old enough, if it's skin color is different, it will start asking questions.  People who object to interracial adoption should shut up or put up if they object that strongly, there wouldn't BE a problem if they'd take care of their own, red, yellow, black, white, green, WHATEVER.

Exactly. Remember the part where it says there are many families in our own community that would adopt the kids and that there isn't need to send them elsewhere? Well, if there are so many, then why are there still kids waiting to be adopted and why is there still so many that will need to be adopted in the future?

I don't understand how anyone could say "don't send them to those folks overseas because we take care of our own" when, apparently, that's not the case. People talk the talk, but don't walk the walk, damn it.

[not_for_anything]

Then I think that we should do something about it, anybody can write a letter to somebody in congress, 150 letters is considered a public outcry and they must at least re-adress it, and you know what you'll feel better inside...well anyway I know none of you will do this but its worth a shot.