Adoption is a very Challenging Process

Adoption

Adoption is a very challenging process that many couples choose to go through. Couples usually consider adoption because of infertility issues. Adopting children by non-biologically-related adults has a long, convoluted history in the U. S and across the globe... (Wiley 985). However, when adopting a child there are a lot of advantages and disadvantages. Adopting a child was not a common practice (Szekely 56). During the process, parent(s) should be opened minded and clear of what they are getting themselves into.

Adopting a child with a different race, culture, or gaining rights is the most challenging part of this process.

Many people don’t know how the adoption process works. This process comes with a lot of emotions, paperwork and patience. After the child is abandoned, he/she is put into foster care (Szekely 55). Usually when kids are put into foster care, it takes years to adopt. Also, getting on a waiting list to obtain the right to adopt takes a lot of patience. After the child has been with their foster parents for so long, attachment usually starts to form.

Even though the child is placed into a foster home, that doesn’t mean the child is legally adopted. Eventually, when finalizing the procedure of adopting a child the court draws up a report of conclusions (Szekely 56). In these conclusions, the reports state the compatibility of the child and adopting family. This stage of adoption is the happiest process because the case is almost finalized. In regards of the child, he/she is placed in custody of the adopting family for 90 days. During this period, it gives the court the right to access the relationship of the child and family to give a final decision (Szekely 56). Also, during the 90 days, it gives the child a chance to create a bond with the family.

Race should be a nonissue when it comes down to adopting. Adoption can be a challenge for single parents or couples, because there are a lot of prejudices regarding the subject (Szekely 53). When adopting a child with a different race you should think about the negative comments, racial slurs, or stares you’re going to receive from the community. When deciding to adopt it gives the child a chance to feel welcomed, loved and properly cared for. In “The Impact of Adoption on Families”, Szekely states “There are families that are in search of their own identity.” Sometimes it may even be hard for the child to adjust to a family with a different skin color. Accepting a child, a with a different race must be taken seriously. The adoptive parents must be prepared to address the racial issues because of the different views on transracial adoption.

Having an adoptive child with a different culture could be challenging in ways also. The child may feel uncomfortable with adjusting to a new culture; having to learn new things all over again. In A Long Way Home, Saroo Brierley was adopted into this Australian family (96). The book tells you how the little boy deals with being adoptive and how he has adapted to the Australian culture. Having to learn a new culture could be hard on the child and a bit confusing. A child needs to be what they are; they only need love and some special attention and care (Szekely 54). Although there isn’t anything wrong with having a diverse family, but also the adoptive parents should make sure the child is comfortable and welcome with having a different culture.

When deciding to adopt, the biggest problem many parent(s) face is the rights of the child. Adopting involves the legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from the birth parents to adults who will raise the child (Wiley 985). During this time, it is hard to give up the rights of your child. Back in 1989 divorced mothers automatically lost custody of their children and did not have visitation rights (Wiley 991). Some adoptions are closed cases, meaning once the child is adopted the biological mother/father have no rights over the child, also meaning no contact at all. However, the adopter will have the same rights and obligations with respect to adopted child as well as the biological parent (Szekely 57). The adopting family may also change the name of the child once the adoption is finalized. This process is scary because the birth parent may change her mind and decide not to go with adoption or after the baby is adopted she may feel she made the wrong choice (Wiley 987). In regards, there is no perfect relationship and neither the guarantee of a successful adoption between the parents, child or adopting family (Szekely 57).

As mentioned earlier, Saroo Brierley, a young boy who was adopted into an Australian family experienced all the above. Although Saroo was not neglected, he ended up only been lost he was adopted by mistake (92). His adoptive family was a different race, different culture and they had all the rights to him. Like in most adoption, the couple changed the boy last name to “Brierley”. In A Long Way Home, Saroo states, “I’ll always be profoundly grateful to both my parents for the life they’ve given me (135). Being adopted and feeling welcomed should be what most families look for when going through the adoption process.

In conclusion, adoption is one in all the best ways that couples allow broken youth a cheerful home. Adoption is the greatest gift you could give a child. The path of adoption has changed significantly over the years (Wiley 991). Although it is a lengthy process, every couple that is wishing to have kids should at least take adopting into consideration. Even though the variety of kids within the care of foster homes and orphanages’ grow, adoption may be a very important mean for children from broken homes with a stable atmosphere to become connected. With the law updating in 2012, procedures were greatly improved but the adoption list are still long (Szekely 57).

Works Cited

1. Brierley, Saroo. A Long Way Home. New York, Berkley, 2013
2. Szekely, Catalina. “The Impact of Adoption on Families. Legal and Social Implications.” A Journal of Social and Legal Studies, Vol.5, No.1, 2018, pp.53-58.
3. Wiley, Mary. “Adoption Research, Practice, and Social Trends: Ten Years of Progress.” Adoption Trends, Vol. 72, No.9, 2017, pp.985-995."

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