US international adoptions fall
The number of children from overseas being adopted by American parents has dropped dramatically.In the US the number of internationally adopted children has fallen by 52 percent in recent years. In 2004 there were 22,991 international adoptions, in 2010 this fell to 11,058.
However, at the same time the number of children adopted through private agencies was 25,000 - 30,000 and 50,000 were adopted through the foster care system in 2009.
Adoption abuses
International adoptions have critics in the US. Critics say that international adoption should be a last resort and that more emphasis should be place upon domestic adoptions. They also point to large sums of money changing hands in overseas adoptions and the corruption that this has caused in foreign countries. Many of these countries have now stopped or severely restricted overseas adoptions due to the level of corruption.
International Social Service
Julie Gilbert Rosicky, executive director of the American branch of the International Social Service, a nonprofit active in 140 countries. "We should not be adopting children when children are being bought and sold or being stolen."
Hague Convention
81 countries have ratified the Hague Convention on Adoption, drafted to protect both children and their birth parents. However, from the top 5 countries popular with Americans, only China is actually a member.
The other countries popular with Americans - Vietnam, Nepal and Guatemala have shut down their overseas adoption programs, whilst Ethiopia has announced stricter controls.
Joint Council on International Children's Services
Thomas DiFilipo, president and CEO of the Joint Council on International Children's Services, a nonprofit that advocates for orphaned and vulnerable children, states "No one is saying that international adoption is the only or even the primary solution. The solution is in-country. But until we get to that point, adoption internationally might be the most viable (alternative)."
Rosicky also stated, "Inter-country adoption is not the first solution. It should be the last solution. Countries should come up with alternatives for permanency in their own countries first."
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