As children, most people want to be surrounded by a family that loves and cares for them and as they get older, many individuals desire to have a family of their own. Being a part of a family typically provides one with love, safety and a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of children miss out on the blessing of having parents and siblings. The only hope for these children is adoption, an option for Georgia families looking to bring a child into their home.
Corruption within adoption agencies or the governments of various countries tends to be the focus of many reports on the adoption process. The idea that adopting parents could be tricked into a fake adoption or not be able to finish the process because of false documents scares many couples away from international adoption. However, the likelihood of such corruption occurring is small. Monitoring of international adoptions has increased, including the use of background checks and the Universal Accreditation Act of 2012.
Unfortunately, because of news that focuses on failed or challenging adoptions, the number of international adoptions by Americans has drastically decreased in the last ten years. Not only does the lack of knowledge regarding the actual process of adopting from another country keep couples from fulfilling their desire to bring a child into their home, but it also keeps thousands of orphans from a family. In many countries, the only option available to these orphans to find a loving family is international adoption.
While adopting a child from another country does come with some challenges, the risks of corrupt agencies and falsified information is much smaller than people imagine. Couples in Georgia who are seeking to adopt internationally should gain a thorough understanding of what the process entails, rather than merely looking at the stories broadcasted on television. Working with a professional or agency that can explain the different aspects of international adoption can ease the seemingly daunting process.
Source: Indianapolis Star, “Adoption saves children from horrifying reality“, Gwendolyn C. Morrison and Brent E. Smith, May 23, 2014