Painting depicting child expressing longing.
There are countless places all over the globe for prospective parents to go if they wish to adopt a child. China, the Ukraine and India are just three of those countries where orphaned children in need of loving homes wait to become part of a new family. While certain restrictions exist in these countries, there are resources available to help explain the regulations that govern adopting a child there.
Adopting a Chinese Child
According to adoption.com, as of 2008, roughly 3,900 Chinese children were adopted by U.S. families. This country remains popular today as a place to adopt many needy children.
In terms of the health and well-being of children available for adoption, A.A.C. Adoption and Family Network, Inc. states that the women who give birth to available children conduct a fairly healthy lifestyle. They live quite simply throughout the countryside and have very little access to tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs. This is an encouraging fact for prospective parents to know about.
AAC Adoption and Family Network is an excellent resource to consult for those who are interested in adopting children from China.
AAC Adoption and Family Network, Inc.
735 East HWY 56 Map
P.O. Box W
Berthoud, CO 80513
970-532-3576
aacadoption.com
Adopting a Child from the Ukraine
The Ukraine is a huge draw for those who wish to adopt a child, just by sheer virtue of availability. However, according to theadoptionguide.com, the children who are available to adopt there are sometimes unhealthy. In fact, according to this site, there are no healthy children available to adopt who are under the age of three, and very few under the age of six. This is an important factor to consider.
As for adoption requirements, children from the Ukraine must be adopted by married couples. Both partners in the marriage must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
The Ukrainian Consulate General, with offices in New York, NY, is an excellent information resource regarding adoption.
Consulate General of Ukraine
240 East 49 Street
New York, NY 10017
212-371-5690 (weekdays only, 3 to 6 p.m.)
ukrconsul.org
Adopting an Indian Child
It is the claim of wakeupcall.org that the average income in many Indian families amounts to just about $440 per year. Because of this, many families are unable to care for their children and are forced to give them up for adoption. In terms of sheer volume, India has upward of 30 million children who are currently available for adoption.
In terms of gender, and as further stated by rkas.org, it is interesting to note that, in India, there are often more girls available for adoption than boys. Further, in some instances, the child is given up only shortly after birth, and there is little familial information on him or her. In other instances, the caste (socio-economic group) that the child came from can be identified.
Specific to India, there are few requirements that must be met in order to adopt a child. First, no adoptive parent may be older than 55 years of age, and must be a minimum of 30 years of age. Married couples may not have a combined age of more than 90, or they will be deemed ineligible. In terms of income, there is no specific income that is required of an adoptive family. Adopting children from INdia is not permitted by those in same-sex relationships.
An outstanding resource for those individuals who wish to adopt a child from India is Intercountry Adoption (adoption.state.gov). This site has a great deal of information specific to the country of India and adoption of their children in general.
U.S. Embassy in India
U.S. Embassy, New Delhi
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi - 110021
091-011-24198000
adoption.state.gov/country/india
Tags: adopt child, Adoption Family, Adoption Family Network, available adoption, children available