Is there anything controversial about adoption?

Answer 1

Yes, many things.

First and foremost as an adopted adult, the number one priority in my adoptee rights activism life right now is to get my records unsealed by the state of California. Sealed records is a very controversial topic, it is a violation of the adoptees civil rights and human rights to be denied access to our original birth certificates. Mothers who surrendered their children to adoption are coming forward and saying they were never promised secrecy and even if someone did give them an unlawful promise, its not the courts obligation to uphold such promises. Access to our original birth certificates doesn't guarantee us a reunion and isn't about a reunion, its about equality for adoptees. Its a civil rights issue. Only 6 states honor adoptee's unconditional access to their records.

Another "hot" topic I've been reading about on various sites and something that has always bothered me personally is the difference in prices of adoption fees according to the race of the child. Apparently white infants are in the greatest demand so they have the highest adoption "fees." I am biracial, so I was cheaper than the white babies, but more expensive than the full blooded other races.

Another controversial adoption topic is informed consents to adoption by the mothers and fathers who are surrendering their children. The baby scoop era was full of forced surrenders and horrifying accounts of women being drugged, babies being drugged and never given the opportunity to stay together as a family on the pretense of protecting us from the social stigma of children born out of wedlock. The present industry has developed a different type of coercion of pregnant girls and women. (Books: "The Girls Who Went Away" by Ann Fessler and "The Baby Thief" by Barbara Raymond).

Women aren't being given informed consents to adoption. They are being told that two parents are better than one mother. They're not being told of infant trauma caused from loss of mother. They're not being told about sealed records for the adoptee decreasing chances of reunion, nor are they being told that open adoptions aren't even enforceable by law. They're being told how wonderful, heroic, and beautiful they are for considering adoption at one of the lowest points of their lives. The only support these women are getting is support to see that the pregnancy continues to delivery and then placing the child with the adoptive parents. There is really no actual emotional support for the mother. It is deception and unfortunately by the time our mothers realize this, it's too late because revocation periods are usually less than 30 days.

Many unnecessary separations are taking place to fulfill the demand of newborn white infants. Not only is this terrible, but it's taking the focus off of the children who REALLY need loving homes. There are over 100,000 children in foster care today who desperately need and want a home. They need stability, security, love, food, clothing and support so that one day they can go on and take care of themselves in the world. Foster care adoptions cost next to nothing in most states. But there aren't waiting lists for foster kids or children of any color except white.

A lot needs to be changed in adoption. The industry in America is in dire need of bulldozing and complete reconstruction. While Australia's system of adoption isn't' perfect, we could definitely learn a lot from them. No matter where you stand on adoption and adoption issues, the first five years of a child's life are critical to their learning abilities, emotional development, and personality. The optimal circumstances for the child must be addressed as soon after birth as possible. A child can't wait for society to get it right.