I know a lot of PRO-adpotion people are going to be upset with this question. But I have to ask...?

because fees for adoption go to the home study (to make sure the family is a good one) workers to do the study, lawyers and papers to make sure it is all legal and many other things. the birth mom actually does not see any of that money unless she is pregnant and they pay medical expenses

Jackie B

You are making the assumption that all children are adopted only through agencies. But you are correct in the amount of money SOME people will pay. As long as there is any kind of money involved, even if it's $1, it will still be perceived as "buying". There's no way any PAP can win here.

If someone advertises to "sell" their baby on craigslist or any other list for that matter, I would hope and put faith in other PAPs who don't want to be perceived as "baby stealers" that they would not even entertain the notion of trying it. Even if I had $50K to do it, how do you tell your child one day you paid that money directly to their parents? Both parties are equally unethical, immoral and selfish.

And to circumvent the inevitable thumbs down, the same applies to paying $50K for the "care" of the child fees (in a third world country!) to an agency.

yeahright

Why would this upset pro-adoption folks? You can be pro-adoption and not pro-agency. Agencies are all different about their costs and processes.

Selling your baby for $ is illegal. Posting that you are looking for adoptive parents for your baby is not and in fact is done all of the time with out any agency intervention. Each state is different but living expenses can be paid for.

No one says you have to go through an agency---but you still have to go through the legal system which typically means lawyers--which still costs $$.

Lori A

Because your cutting out the middle man. That's all they are, and they want their non profit money.

Angela R

"If a private person wanted to find a home for their baby without going thru a adpotion agency, they should have every right"
People do have this right, it's called private adoption, and it's very common. You do not need to go through an adoption agency, but you would still need to pay a lawyer.

Unfortunetly in the US the adoption system is set up so that adoption agencies, facilitators, and lawyers work as independent non-profit businesses. Although I would like it to work a different way, I understand that they have to pay for their operation costs, (rent for office, utilities, supplies,etc) advertising costs, legal fees, salaries for employees, etc. With international adoption there are far more expeses to consider as well. The only reason that adoptions from fostercare are low or no cost is because the FC system is completely funded by the government.

This may not be the best comparison, but it's illegal to sell a kidney on craigslist, or anywhere else, however if someone is recieving a kidney transplant they still have to pay a huge amount for the surgery, to pay for the doctors and nurses salaries, hospital costs, transpotation of the organ, etc. Also you usually can't get a transplant even if your life depends on it unless you can afford to pay for it or your insurance will cover the fees. And yet you wouldn't say that in this way someone is "buying" an organ.

grapesgum

The difference is that the pro-adoption lobby spends millions of dollars influencing lawmakers to keep private adoption agencies and lawyers right where they want to be - as the middleman - raking in the hard earned dollars of adoptive parents.

Yes, adoptive parents are still purchasing a child when exorbitant fees are being charged by the adoption brokers. They try to pretty up their dirty dealings by saying that the fees are "services" (e.g., charging adoptive parents for medical care when the mother is on medicaid),but we know where the money really goes.

Carol c

Forgetting the obvious morality issues or the fact that the middle man (agency or lawyer) is being cut out ; I would guess in craigslist 's and ebay's case, they just don't wish to assume liability for dealing in human flesh. I can't say that I blame them a bit.

BLW_KAM

Private adoptions are legal. Craigslist is just easier.

Thanks for pointing out (once again) that APs who adopt through agencies are purchasing children. We truly appreciate being recognized for our wealth and immorality.

kateiskate

Well, private adoption IS legal. My sister was adopted through a private adoption and no money was given to her first mom for "services rendered". It is illegal to advertise buying babies on craigslist because it is illegal to sell human beings.

myst1998

I have always wondered the same. If adoption was all that ethical, there would be no huge fees and the cost of adopting certain races wouldn't be different. From what I have heard in the good US of A, fees can vary - depending on what 'type' of child you are adopting. Sounds absolutely vile and no better than child trafficking. As I see it, as soon as any money is forked out in adopting a child (especially in the thousands, not court appointed fees for filing papers, thats different) then a transaction has taken place and the child has become a product. Makes me sick.

And Ollie, give up already. You don't have to believe in the truth but sooner or later burying your head in all that sand is gonna make you choke.

sunny

Oh, that's easy.

It not seen as unethical if agencies and attorneys make money off selling babies.

It's only seen as unethical if the MOTHER--the one who conceived, carried, and delivered the baby makes money.

Makes sense, right?

Myla

You heard of puppy mills, right? Think about what would happen if baby mills were made legal. Pregnant mothers could be kipnapped and their babies stolen and sold, girls forced into baby making slavery, women killed as soon as they were too old or sick to make more babies.. do you really want to see this happen?

allchildrenareangels

That is a good question. It shouldn't be illegal. It would make it easier on everyone. If druggies and all were allowed to just get on craigs list and find a home for there baby there would probably be a lot fewer children in foster care or abused or neglected.

The reason it is illegal is probably cause, adoption agencies have a lot of pull. They want everyone to have to go through agencies so that they can take money from AP.

Love,
Michelle

lish

agencies vet people out and check if they are suitable, however they turn out as parents no one can predict that really but the intention is there. but if u wer sell it off craigslist or ebay, am hello, anyone could buy ur baby jesus ! and imagine the businesses that would be set up. women forced to get pregnant and sell their babies. then these babies would eventually be made to order through DNA screening. the floodgates would be open for a whole new type of sick twisted money making scheme.

APRILMAE

EXACTLY WHAT I BEEN TALKING TO MY HUSBAND ABOUT! WE WANT TO ADOPT BUT THEY ARE TO EXPENSIVE! ITS SO SAD BECAUSE A LOT OF CHILDREN NEED HOMES & MOST PPL CAN'T AFFORD 10,000 TO 50,000 UP FRONT SO RIDICULOUS!

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