Misconceptions About Adoption and Adopted Children

There are many things about adoption that are not fully known or understood by those on the outside. Sometimes people hear stories of one individual’s negative experience and believe that is true of all adoptions, making the idea of adoption sound frightening.

It is a beautiful and selfless act that builds families and gives children the loving homes they deserve. This article addresses just a few of the misconceptions that exist about the world of adoption.

Adoption is Very Expensive

The common assumption about adoption is that no matter what type of adoption a couple pursues, it will cost an exorbitant amount of money, leaving the adoptive parents with very little to actually raise the child. This, however, is not always the case. Adoption costs can vary depending on location and the type of adoption pursued. Domestic adoptions generally cost around $30,000; not an insignificant amount of money but one that ensures the child receives proper medical care before the adoption.

There are also tax credits for adoption, which can help with adoption expenses and make it possible for a family to adopt. Consult an adoption agency about the expected costs and options.

International Adoption is Better

Many believe that if you adopt a child from another country, such as China, it will not only be easier, it will be quicker and cheaper than domestically adopting. Like quite a lot of other aspects of adoption, results and experiences will vary. Some parents have successfully adopted a child in a year from foreign countries, while others are required to go live in the foreign country for a certain period of time before being able to adopt. It might even take several years before a child is successfully adopted, depending on the country. Costs for adopting also tend to vary.

In fact, legislation has made it difficult or impossible for Americans to adopt children from certain countries. Families will have a very hard time adopting from Vietnam or Russia because of either certain conditions in the country (Vietnam) or foreign legislation

(Russia).

Visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website for more information: http://www.uscis.gov/adoption/country-information.

Foster Children Have Medical Problems

Sadly, one misconception is that children in foster care have medical issues that leave them without a good family. While this may be true of some children in foster care, there are over 400,000 children in the foster care system in the US and certainly many of them are healthy and all are in need of a loving home. Some parents place their newborns for adoption because they are not ready financially or emotionally to raise a child, and would rather give their baby a chance at a better life. Placing a child for adoption does not mean that the child is unhealthy.

If you are interested in adoption but have fears or doubts, consult with the experts at a local adoption agency. The more knowledge you have about adoption, the more confident and excited you will become about adding a new member to your family.

About Providence Place:Adopting a child is an important decision that requires careful consideration. Are you contemplating adoption, or are you already planning to adopt a child? Do you have any idea about how or where to start? Providence Place of San Antonio, Texas will guide you through the adoption process while making sure all your questions are answered. Contact us today to learn more about adoption and ways to get involved with our organization.