International adoption has its critics. Some argue that it isn't morally correct to adopt children from other countries when there are children in the United States who need families. Others argue that taking a child from her own culture and raising her in the U.S. deprives her of her cultural heritage. While there may be some validity to these arguments, supporters of international adoptions sing the praises of providing a loving home to an orphaned child who might not otherwise find a family. Adopting a child from another country has other potential benefits.
Surety of Adoption
To legally adopt a child from another country, that child must be orphaned. In the United States, a birth mother has the option of changing her mind during her pregnancy or after delivery. Orphaned children have no parents to contest the adoption. This situation may be ideal for parents who have unsuccessfully tried to adopt before due to birth parents changing their minds, or for parents previously involved in adoption custody disputes.
International Travel
For fans of international travel or people who have never been out of the country, international adoption affords an opportunity to travel abroad. In most cases, parents need to fill out paperwork, complete interviews and meet with adoption facilitators in the country where their future child lives. They also need to arrange to pick up their child and bring her home. This travel allows adoptive parents to learn about a new culture and experience a new place.
Quicker Adoptions
International adoptions happen on a reasonably predictable time line. The process takes about 12 to 18 months from start to finish, according to experts at adoption.com. The Faithful Adoption agency points out that adoptions in the United States can happen within that time frame, but they can also take a lot longer--up to two years or more.
Financial Predictability
International adoptions are expensive; they can run anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000. Domestic adoptions can be expensive, too, but with international adoptions, you can be relatively certain upfront what your expenses will be because an experienced adoption agency will draw up a plan that details your entire financial commitment. Domestic adoptions could be inexpensive, but they can also cost tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees, agency fees and medical expenses. Financial predictability, according to Pregnancy Info, is a plus for many parents.
