Saturday, April 21, 2012

Adoption

Adoption has many pros, as well as some drawbacks. Adoption touches people in different ways, depending on their perspective and roles in the individual's life. Adoption is the "social, emotional, and legal process in which children who will not be raised by their birth parents become full and permanent legal members of another family." Adoption is not a simple process, it is a lifelong commitment for everyone involved, with legal and emotional impacts.

Determining one's eligibility to adopt is based on a few different requirements. Most people are eligible to adopt, despite age, income, sexual orientation, or marital status. Also, having a disability does not necessarily disqualify a parent. And there is a "process of mutual assessment and preparation by the prospective adoptive parents and social worker or agency, called a home study." Also, foreign countries may have different/specific requirements and/or restrictions for families who want to adopt from their country. Another more specificity is often Faith-based agencies, they may make different requirements for families adopting through their agency.

There are many things families need to consider before making the decision to adopt a child. For example, many people and or couples consider adoption because of infertility issues. Before adopting a child, a person or the family needs to consider all negatives and positives involved with adoption. One way to better prepare yourself is communicating and asking questions with other families who have adopted. This helps families determine if and what type of adoption is right for their family. Some of the different types of adoption and choices to be made in adoption. are adopting children through a public agency (foster care), adopting children from other States, adopting infants through a licensed agency, independent adoption, and adopting a child from another country.

Despite the fact that all kids are different, kids who wait a long time to be adopted often share similar characteristics. These characteristics include: being part of a sibling group who needs to be placed together within a family, being an older child, being a part of a minority group, or having a disability. These children are often referred to as having "special needs" or needing "special care." However, states often define special needs differently for the children's eligibility to receive adoption assistance when adopted from the U.S. foster care system.

Despite the type of adoption or company/group/agency that assists families in the process (public agency, licensed private agency, attorney or adoption facilitator), virtually all families are required to complete the home study process before going on with the adoption. The main goal of a home study is to make sure that "each child is placed in a suitable home and that good matches are made between children and families." They also help to ensure that the possible future homes agree with/are up to State and local laws for the placement of the child/children and that parents and families are educated about adoption and have the necessary information.

Also, adoptive parents need to be aware that there are certain citations which may require an open adoption. Openness in adoption "refers to the amount of contact among birth parents and relatives, adoptive parents, and the adopted person." The amount of contact and communication may range from little or no contact; "to mediate contact through a third party, anonymous email, or post office box; to ongoing communication with shared identifying information; to occasional in-person contact, holiday visits, or regular communication and visitation" when all parties wish it to happen.

Adoption is not a simple decision, it is a lifelong process. Families often need additional support even after the adoption is finalized. Families may need services as a child develops and as "normal development, adjustment, and adoption-related issues arise." It is important that the adoptive parents know how to deal with the children along with helping them cope with grief and loss, recognize and get help for post adoption depression, find needed services, and get financial assistance.

So, despite the fact that adoption has many pros and cons, it is up to the adoptive family to ensure that the pros outweigh the cons. Adoption touches people in different ways, depending on their perspective and roles in the individual's life. It is a decision to become full and permanent legal members of another family. Adoption is not a simple process; it is a lifelong commitment for everyone involved, with legal and emotional impacts.


Sources
http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/pg1302.htm
http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/
http://www.adoption.org/
http://www.adoptionfacts.org/
http://www.adoptionservicesinc.com/facts.html

2 comments:

  1. # Choice of Topic: Good, subject and life related choice of topic. Being that our family fosters, and we were just doing the "Cost of living with a child" project, this definitely fits in well. 10/10

    # Well-Written Essay: 10/10. You did a great job with point out the different reasons to adopt, as well as the different processes in which it works. Some of the essay looks very clear that you got the information from a different source (not as much of "yourself" writing, but it doesn't hinder the essay in any way.

    # Appropriate / Relevant Pictures: The pictures look very professional as well as pretty. The colors match, look friendly, and draw your attention. 10/10

    # Formatting (Text & Pictures): The formatting looks exceptionally well. Because of the placement of your pictures, the text was moved in such a way that it looks much like a newspaper article - It makes it easier to read than just a plain "wall of text". 10/10

    # Working Links: Links working correctly :)

    # Visually Appealing: Paragraphs look nice, pictures placed well, colors are nice as well... Overall, IT SUCKS. Just kidding. 10/10.

    # Good Labels: I don't see any "Labels" but each paragraph focuses on a specific point or issue, and does it relatively clearly. As far as that goes... 10?

    # Recommendations for making the essay better: I would recommend using more personal information as well - such as your experiences with fostering and how much you want to adopt, to let people know that these aren't just castaway trouble-making children... but innocent babies that need a home. The essay is very professional, though. Kudos!

    # How did the essay change your views about the topic?: This didn't really change my views about the topic, because of what I already know. It did help me know the processes a little bit more, but overall - I stayed the same :)

    # Overall Grade (A-F): A

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  2. Choice of Topic: Adoption, an interesting and relevant topic.

    Well-Written (Original) Essay: well written and informative

    Appropriate / Relevant Pictures: yes

    Formatting (Text & Pictures): Good, easy flow to follow.

    Working Links: All 5 links work

    Visually Appealing: Paragraphs and pictures work well together, keeping form of essay.

    Good Labels (i.e. “baby, babies, SIDS, causes, facts, medical”): all labels relevant to topic.

    Recommendations for making the essay better (spelling, grammar, pictures, facts, etc.): a misplaced period in paragraph 3, but other than that, good.

    How did the essay change your views about the topic?: I have been set in mind to adopt for a while, this has not changed my mind on the issue, but has made me aware that I need to learn more about it before going in to adopt.

    Overall Grade (A-F): A

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