Guatemala Adoption???

Doodlestuff

Many S. American countries have suspended adoptions because of infants being stolen from parents to be offered to foreigners for adoption. Some attempts to fix this problem have been thwarted, so until they can resolve these issues, no adoptions to foreigners (not just Americans) have stopped. The exception is someone adopting a relative.

Honestly, Russia would be my last choice. So many of the children have serious mental illness or damage from drugs or alcohol and the a-parents don't find this out until they bring the child home. I suspect this is deliberate as Russia does not have the resources to deal with so many of these children, although it's possible I only hear about the negative experiences. China, unfortunately, has the same problem Guatemala is having - girl children are being stolen to be sold for adoption even though there might be children available at orphanages in other provinces.

Rosie

Yes it's true.

Cate, by the time you get old enough to adopt, it will be illegal to adopt from other countries or give up your baby in the US.

Ellie

Well, I would think seriously before deciding on Guatemala. In the UK, where I am, the government has stopped adoptions from Guatemala because many children were kidnapped and sold for international adoption, or the biological mother was paid to get pregnant and give away the baby. This is a problem in many countries with infant adoptions - no matter how hard the governments try to stop it, baby brokers will find a way to procure infants for adoption. Also many US families trying to adopt from there are now finding themselves caught in a web of deceit even when the child is relinquished legally, unable to complete adoptions, frequently changing lawyers. I don't think Guatemala is a good option.

China - Most infants here are actually abandoned, ad amny have special needs. However, the wait to adopt is now over 4 years from your log in date (the date China recieves your completed homestudy and papers). Factor in homestudy and you're looking at at least 5 years maybe, and robably as much as 7 or even 8. This will be shorter if you opt for the special needs program, but still a long wait.

Guatemala - no, for the given reasons.

Russia - Again, although I think there are many people who want bribes in Russia, there is actually no kidnapping trade, so most adoptions are ethical in that respect. There are quite short times to referal of a child, but there is a lot of paperwork for Russia. Also, children from there often have FAS, FAE or ARND ( these are all caused by mother drinking alcohol in pregnancy, and vary in how serious they are, FAS is most serious usually) There is also more attachment problems in children from Russia etc. So you need to be prepared for special needs if you choose Russia

Korea - May be ending its intercountry adoption program in a couple of years which is good. They have many restrictions on families e.g. no singles, less than 4 kids already etc. I don't believe there is much corruption at all, but I doubt the country will be open in a few years time.

All in all, I would say I would choose Korea now, and in a few years China, if wait times come down. Guatemala definitely not, it's too difficult to do and corrupt to boot

I'm not sure about Guatemala wait times but you have to take that into consideration. Also, it would help to know which country you live in because wait times are variable... example... we've been waiting 2 years for our Ethiopian adoption and have MANY more to go (3-4 years approx.)... But in some parts of the US adoption from Ethiopia can take months from start to finish. In my country (Canada) I know that the China wait times are 7-8 years. Russia is unofficially closed. Korea and most of the orient is closed until further notice. On the bright side, US adoptions are quick... Florida takes approx. 1 year from start to finish (but my province won't allow us to adopt from Florida, one agency will facilitate private adoptions from the US but can be costly). From what I've seen recently a lot of Canadians are adopting from the US because there are many private adoptions available (unlike our own country). If you live in the US maybe it would be easier for you to adopt domestically... Good luck.
I don't know if this helps...

rain cloud

Guatemala!!! my friend was from there! she's my best friend! she was adopted from there. oh no! America=ca cant adopt from there? that's rough. do russia actually. because i was from ukraine. but i have heard some stories about hard times adopting there. I wish adopting was much easier. I want to find my real parents too. but i say - UKRAINE IS #1

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: