We had a surprise visit this week from our dear friends Brian, Danielle and their newly adopted daughter Miriam. There’s nothing like company coming to kick one in the behind to get one’s house picked up, but even better than that is the opportunity to get to see old friends and meet a new one! Miriam was adopted by Brian and Danielle from Ethiopia about three months ago and she is now almost eight months old. Learning more about their international adoption experience was fascinating.
International adoption seems to have gained popularity and acceptance over the last several years.
Immigrant Visas Issued to Orphans Coming to the U.S. World Total for Calendar Years
2005 - 22,728
2004 - 22,884
2003 - 21,616
2002 - 20,099
2001 - 19,237
2000 - 17,718
1999 - 16,363
1998 - 15,774
1997 - 12,743
1996 - 10,641
1995 - 8,987
1994 - 8,333
1993 - 7,377
1992 - 6,472
1991 - 8,481
1990 - 7,093
I realize that there are thousands of children in the U.S. who are waiting to be adopted. Still, many of the couples that I know who have eventually completed international adoptions were deemed “too old” to adopt domestic children. I’m not sure how that works. Other friends decided to pursue adoption internationally for a variety of reasons: availability of infants, the desire to help children in lesser developed countries, a connection with another country/people group, speed of adoption process, etc.
It will be fascinating to see how these international adoptions affect American culture and mindsets. Many of the international children adopted by Americans are older and have already been enculturated by their countries of birth. How will their multi-cultural viewpoint affect them and those that know them? Are families with children of other races and/or cultures readily accepted by American society? The number of multi-racial children is growing in the U.S.; will international adoptions continue to blur the cultural and racial divisions?
The part of adoption that appeals to me most is the fact that it is so deliberate. These parents chose to be parents and underwent a long and expensive process. One has to admire that kind of resolve and passion.