The Process
Each year over 20,000 foreign-born children are adopted by families in the United States making international adoption a very viable option for prospective parents to consider. The below selected books aides in the adoption process including progressive steps of paperwork and parent education; making careful choices about an agency and an adoption professional will help ensure a successful outcome, and will help parents learn about the very personal aspect of adoptive parenting.
Suggested Books
The Decision: Transracial or Same Race Adoption
Before deciding to adopt internationally across racial lines, parents need to understand the importance of helping a child “claim” his or her cultural and racial heritage, in a relational, authentic way with others of the ethnicity. Children being raised within a Caucasian family will experience issues with racism; making the decision to adopt transracially involves the parents’ willingness to help the child face these challenges.
Suggested Books
Family Issues in Transracial Adoption
Adoption is a lifetime process. An international adoptee needs to feel supported by his or her family, and family discussions about adoption and racial issues need to updated and revisited on a regular basis. Prospective moms and dads should assess their abilities to be open and flexible, as transracial international adoption requires parents to become educated advocates for their children.
Suggested Books
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Sale!
About Adoption
Cross Cultural Adoption: How To Answer Questions from Family, Friends & Community
$18.95$11.75 -
Adoption Parenting
In Their Parents’ Voices: Reflections on Raising Transracial Adoptees
$28.00 -
Sale!
International Adoption
Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White
$19.99$12.18
Quick Facts
Adoptions ’06 | Time | Children < 1year | Gender | Estimated Cost | Childcare System | |
China | 6,493 | slow | 25-49% | mostly girls (95%) | $20-25,000 | orphanage |
Russia | 3,706 | average | <25% | even | $30,000+ | orphanage |
Korea | 1,376 | slow | >75% | more boys (60%) | $20-25,000 | fostercare |
Ethiopia | 732 | average | 25-49% | even | $15-20,000 | orphanage |
Haiti | 309 | average | <25% | even | $15-20,000 | orphanage |
Vietnam | 163 | fast | 50-75% | more girls (60%) | $20-28,000 | orphanage |
Adoption information on sending countries changes frequently, please verify.