Why does it cost so much...

[Redguard]

To adopt a child from a foreign country?

I was reading the other day that to adopt a child from Ethiopia, costs about $20,000 U.S.

Is it to protect these children from being adopted and then put into indentured servitude?

Anyway, I see a lot of these foreign, third-world countries being in the highest need when it comes to orphaned children. If we ever end up adopting, we'd like to take a child from one of these countries.

But the high-cost is something that really makes it difficult. It assumes that only the rich are allowed to adopt.

 

[Leanna]

Why does it cost so much to adopt here in the US when there are so many needy kids???? This has never made sense to me...

 

[ilovespring]

Seems a bit silly doesn't it? Especially seeing as these children need help, like you said.

 

[MyLittleWonders]

I know at least in my state, domestic adoption is free if you adopt through the county. They have so many children that need homes ... and not nearly enough homes for the kids. Private adoption is not free, but your money involves, as far as I know, medical bills and legal bills.

From my research into China adoption, the money goes into a little of everything - donations to the orphanage (sp?) to begin with. Then you pay every person who handles your paper work (silly to me ... ). Medical exams of the child you are adopting. You have to pay for a home study as well. The money to the orphanage, though to me, is where I'd want all my fees to go ... helping those people who take in unwanted babies. If you google Ethiopian adoption, for instance, you'll probably find some more information on where, exactly, your money is going when you do adopt. Also, there are "scholarship" type programs out there for adoptiong - Steven Curtis Chapman has set up a fund that gives money to people who want to adopt. If you go to his website, and click on adoption, you'll get more information. And also keep in mind, that you get a dollar-for-dollar tax credit (up to $15,000 I think) the following year on your taxes for adopting.

ETA: Here's a direct link to his organization for adoption.

 

[AceHero]

Why does it cost so much to adopt here in the US when there are so many needy kids???? This has never made sense to me...

I think it's because they're in such high demand. It's not surprising to me that in the U.S. more babies are being aborted than loving families yearning to have children.

I myself cost nearly $9,000. Seriously.

 

[Linnis]

I think it goes along with this idea that only the well off can be loving and capable parents. I mean even to adopt an American child, which there are half a million waiting for adoption, many will choose private adoption because of cost.

Does being well off make one a better parent?

As far as it protecting children, rich people can be bad too. Just yesterday a 13 year old girl spoke to congress about being adopted by a child pedophile. Someone who used her for sex and child porn for 5 years. He passed with flying colors, enough to adopt as a single person which is hard to do.

Like many systems I think the adoption system needs some serious repair.

Another problem with the cost of adoption...people will pay more via private adoption or wait for a Chinese girl to get a baby. The want for toddlers and then for children goes way down and hense you have kids who grow up in the system.

 

[Athene]

The reason why it costs so much to adopt a child from abroad is because the governments of those countries want to screw as much money out of people desperate enough to pay for it.

 

[Linnis]

I don't think that's true at all. Private adoption costs much, much more than adopting through a public agency, but maybe I misunderstood what was typed.

No, You understood what I typed. Adoption agencies look for who can provide the most 'stuff' for a child. Same with private adoptive mothers, they look for the ones with the biggest houses and those who can provide things like annual vacations. I'm not saying all rich people are bad or some none sense like that but I am saying that most seem to think the 'stuff' equals love. Then again that's a very secular thinking so I shouldn't be surprised.

 

[dews]

I was looking into adoption as well. For Chinese adoption, you have to carry the money in cash. What if you get robbed. Can you imagine losing $20,000 in cash if you did.

 

[homeschooling_Momma]

my hubbys step sister and her hubby are adopting right now in China...

they have gone thru a Christian agency that helps out with how to handle things like that....if you are interested in finding out the adoption agency please let me know thru PM..I can give you the link to their site

 

[seamonster]

One of my sisters was privately adopted and cost about $300. Adoption is usually cheapest if you do foster care first. That way you only have to pay lawyer fees, which are usually minimal.

 

[Linnis]

Well, I really only have firsthand knowledge of these two cases. I know for a fact that neither my sister or brother equate love with stuff, and I rather think that it was God who answered their many years of tears and prayers than to think otherwise. And frankly, neither of them is what anyone could call rich - they worked hard and saved for years to adopt. They worked hard once they adopted. They both love their kids. Im sorry if I sound a bit taken aback, but the way I see it, and I've seen it personally - with God so many things are possible that might not be otherwise.

As for other people's motives when considering adoption or the agencies motives, I can't really answer. I better leave this forum now.

I'm sorry if I've offended you and I'm sending you a PM.

 

[dews]

The article I had read when I was searching for China adoptions said payment was to be in cash. Hopefully someone who has adopted in China can say if that statement was realy true or not.

 

[Green Orchid]

Why does it cost so much? For international adoptions, consider this:
- the agency and adoption workers fees
- paperwork for the parents and the child (passports, medical documents, etc)
- lawyer certifications
- psychosocial evaluation of the couple
- the trip (airfare, hotel, food, etc) : this is usually a big chunk, around $3000-$4000 for the family
- mandatory donation to the orphanage, which can go up to $4000: some might think that having a mandatory donation is a bad idea, but come to think of it, they raised the child up until now, so that costs money

So yes, it's a lot of money, but I think it's worth it to give a chance to a little boy or girl who would have no future otherwise.

 

[Green Orchid]

The article I had read when I was searching for China adoptions said payment was to be in cash. Hopefully someone who has adopted in China can say if that statement was realy true or not.

Yes, it has to be cash. But it's not $20,000 in cash! You're only bringing money for the orphanage donation and a few other things, so you might be carrying $5,000. It's still a lot, but you're travelling as a group, so it's a lot safer.

 

[A1nitewolf]

Look at it like this for a moment

For those who have Bio Kids how much did the Doc's bills come to... without Med Insurance? Now take the cost of providing for that child for two years. Add it all together, that's why it costs so much ... because Kids are expensive!!!!

By paying the 20,000 for adoption your keeping in place a system that can provide for these children while they are in a Private or Public care system.

I would also like to say that in most cases the SW, Gov or whatever agency that is caring for the child, has the childs best interests in mind. We hear horror stories about children who have been in foster care or Adopted, but also keep in mind Parents with Bio children aren't perfect. There is only one Perfect Parent and he is my Father and you may also know him as God.

 

[blessedmama]

New here but want to say I have 6 children through the miracle of adoption. None of them "cost" more than $6000. But they are all minorities...now I've opened a whole nuther can of worms. My oldest was found in a shopping bag when she was 2 days old. I got her as a legal risk adoption at 6 months. My oldest son was through a private agency and was $2000. I received a grant for $1000 and my church paid the rest. The three youngest were the most "expensive" My 4 year old was $6000 and the two youngest were biological siblings that God led us to while at an amusement park...(LOL! That's a whole nuther story) and they cost about $2500. We are by no means rich. I am a teacher and DH drives a garbage truck. We love children and God has given us the desires of our heart. They are happy but not materialistic...well my 14 yr old son likes name brand clothes that I will not buy but other than that they are wonderful kids who deserved a forever home and we have it with lots of love and laughter. When we choose to adopt #4 we were called numerous times by agencies and facilitators but each one wanted lots of money that we just didn't have but we continued searching and God provided. So it can be done.

 

[dews]

I would be interested in the story how you got your two youngest at an amusement park. Care to share? If not, perhaps you could pm me.

 

[skipper]

Why do you feel it necessary to adopt abroad? There are so many children waiting in the US. We have adopted one child and are getting ready to finalize the adoption on our other two daughters. These were all little girls that desperately needed a family we have a racially mixed family. The cost was very minimal, considering that these adoptions completed our family. Most children in foster care have adoption subsidies that pay for most if not all adoption expenses. If you think that only children abroad are in need of families please rethink this decision. I am not here to offend anyone, but I support foster care adoptions lets work to get children out of foster homes and into a forever family.

 

[Andi @ Cirrutopia]

Governments aren't making enough to sustain child welfare/protective services/orphanages in most countries. I mean, in New Jersey... in my county... one of the top five richest in the United States... we can barely save children from child abuse and give them decent homes. DYFS (child protective org. of NJ) is in dire need of funds. 37 children died here in 2003, I think... And the issue of funding can only be amplified in poor countries...