Today’s guest blogger is Angela Shepherd.
The article, “Cost of Adoption; Perspective Parents Should Go into the Experience with Their Eyes and Wallets Wide Open” was found in the U.S. News & World Report, written by Geoff Williams. October 2, 2014. The article discussed the enormous cost of adoption. It spoke to enormous fees including paying for travel, private attorneys and other expenses.
The article also gave a testimonial from a parent who discussed the emotional toll an adoption can take as well. One adoptive parent spoke of the process as being very intrusive. Suggesting that there was probing into every aspect of their life. The article also emphasized the cost being an obstacle for many families, some because they have already endure years of infertility treatment costs.
The article spoke of possible resources that are available to assist families seeking to ado. Including adoption loans, adoption grants, and even some employers that may contribute to the adoption expenses. However, the article it did emphasized that potential parents are, for the most part, on their own.
One strength in the article is that the author did a good job noting both how the process of adopting can be costly as well as providing information on resources to offset some of the cost. Providing this information gives a transparent view of the process but doesn’t seek to be discouraging. Also, I think the author does try to give a warning to families that there is more to adoption than just desiring to have a child and making a simple request. The limitations of the article in my opinion it that it only gives examples of middle to upper class families who may adopt. It seems to target a specific population of people.
In my opinion the author promotes some myths about adoption. The author used relevant data from the Child Welfare Information Gateway. However, the data was misrepresented in the statement, “If you are adopting through foster care, which generally involves being the parent of an older child, the cost is much lower: zero to $2,500.” This is not always the case. There are plenty of babies that are in need of adoptive homes through the foster care system and the cost is not out of reach. They just may be a child of color or born with a disability. The statement may have been intended for author’s audience and not the general public.
Finally, I would argue the author promotes the myth that to adopt a child, income is the motivating factor. This simply is not the case. According to the Website, Adopt USKids, Minnesotans are encouraged to adopt and they are looking for all types of families including, married, single, own or rent, and experience in parenting or not. Income is verified but is not the driving force for being eligible for adopting.