Stricter foreign adoption requirements in China

[shelle65]

Not sure if this has already been discussed - my apologies if it has.

Did anyone see the article recently reporting that China is changing it's foreign adoption rules? The new criteria for prospective parents include a healthy BMI (not obese or overweight), and must be married for at least 2 years, or 5 years if previously divorced.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/parenting/china-tightens-foreign-adoption-rules/2006/12/27/1166895336195.html

I can understand that they want to improve the process and ensure that the best applicants are chosen, but... I'm not sure that criteria such as these guarantee that outcome anyway.

It just makes me sad to think that many wonderful people might miss out because of their body shape, or because they aren't married for whatever reason. :crying:

[shelle65]

Wow, thanks for all that info Jacinta, I had no idea :detective: I guess it is one of those myths "you can just go and adopt"... :no:

Best wishes to you and your DH and your future baby! I hope all goes well :hugs: :hugs:

[ennenna]

A lot of interesting information...Is this QLD adoptions that you are referring to?
The reality of the current adoption situation is that there is by far more prospective adoptive parents than there is children that need placements. A lot of people have a very simplistic view that all these children need to be "saved". However, the best outcome for any child that requires adoptive placement would be that it actually stays in their own country, within its own culture. This eliminates a lot of the serious issues adoptive kids tend to have (esp identity- during teens).
With regards to over-hauling the Australian adoption system, there is reasons for the duration of the whole process. Firstly, many of us selfishly forget that the primary reason for such a complex process is to place a child in a safe home. It is appalling to see the child trafficking and consequent atrocious matters that occur due to illegal adoptions (esp in the US).
With regards to education classes, to my knowledge they are held every time there is enough couples that have completed the first part of the process. So it largely depends on the adoptive parents to provide the documentation as quickly as possible.
Information sessions have been held almost every second month and sometimes every month across QLD.
Also with regards to the social workers, the reports that need to be completed are impossible to write in a month. There is about 4 assessment interviews or so that need to be carefully analysed and revised. That is simply impossible and may be risky to have it done in that short time-frame.Don't forget that there is a lot of very unsuitable, complex people that are eager to adopt and would do anything to get through the process.. again the safety of that child that will come into a new family is paramount.
And if China wants to be very selective and get the "creme de la creme" of all applicants, it is only for the child's benefit. If they have couples applying more than there is children available, why shouldn't they be selective? Why would you place a child in a home where due to obesity for example the life expectancy of their adoptive parent is significantly reduced? These kids have enough loss to deal with in their lives and any other factors that can be eliminated to prevent any further grief is probably not such a bad idea.

As for other countries, I am not entirely sure, but there is I think at least about 12 other international programs in QLD alone.

I am very sorry if I may appear rude in any way. That is certainly not my intention.. I am just very passionate about the safety and well being of these children and it bothers me that there is a lot of people out there that focus on themselves more than the babies who have not chosen to be adopted and who have noone to protect them in this 'foreign country' of ours..

Not to sound too pessimistic, Jacinta, I do hope that everything goes well for you though..and that you will have wonderful adoptive experience!! Just be patient, it will all be worthwhile! :hugs:

Ennenna

[YummyMummy1]

why is it so hard to adopt? these childre need a home, the process of adopting must put a lot of people off not to mention the costs invovled. it's such a shame.

also dose anyone know much about adopting a child from within australia? is it easyer to become a foster parent first and then find an adoptive child through that system?

[SpecialMumma]

why is it so hard to adopt? these childre need a home, the process of adopting must put a lot of people off not to mention the costs invovled. it's such a shame.

also dose anyone know much about adopting a child from within australia? is it easyer to become a foster parent first and then find an adoptive child through that system?


You cant become a carer to look for an child to adopt. Most cases you are not ALLOWED to adopt that way, and DOCS will tell you at training. You must not even look at foster care if adoption is the reason your thinking of it. Its completely dfifferent.

[mysonroger]

okay , i could be waaaaayyyy wrong here, but this is the sort of thing that i think angelina jolie could be helping with. you see her adopting children left, right and center, ain't she lucky that she can just go pick up a child like that, but i think 'you know what would really help, help US NORMAL PEOPLE adopt too.make the system better then thousands and thousands more can get adopted. work with the agencies and the governments to really tackle the problems. ' maybe she's doing this already and i just missed it????

its like seeing a starving family and giving them a meal, or give them land and some seedlings and they won't starve anymore. do you know what i mean??

i would love to adopt to get my four children that i really want, but the money, the process, the timing,... the maze of admin..,....it makes it seem impossible to me.

[neostudded]

I have no idea How she did it, But my grandmother is a foster carer and she adopted a young girl recently She Is legaly my aunty she is 4.