Unregulated underground adoption networks: “re-homing”

[can appear to be] much like that of selling a used product on Craigslist. [Some] individuals who no longer want [to parent] their children sign up for online forums or email groups and post advertisements for them. They then arrange to transfer their children to interested parties informally, often times never reporting any of their activity to state child welfare agencies or law enforcement. Much like Craigslist transactions these exchanges often occur in places like the parking lot of a retail store that is equidistant from both parties; the child just gets out of one car and into the other, driving away without any oversight or background checks to assure their safety.

This report by the Reuters organization has many strengths. The piece imparts numeric statistics through easy to read and aesthetically pleasing infographics. It also follows an engaging narrative structure that tells the story of these abused and trafficked children through a plethora of case examples and interviews. There are even multimedia components that share audio from individuals participating in these underground networks which give intriguing insight into their candid attitudes and opinions. In-spite of the accessible structure and formatting deeper meaning is not sacrificed, the piece often digs into the laws and nuance around the subject. The article could benefit from an update to include some of the important responses and calls for action which it inspired. It would be helpful for readers to see that there is action taking place to try and reduce and regulate the problems driving these practices.

According to the infographics in the piece most of the children that are put up for trade in these underground exchanges are foreign adoptees. Parents will pay tens of thousands of dollars to adopt a child from overseas only to become overwhelmed by the severe acting out behaviors that these often abused and neglected children can exhibit. According to Reuters over 70% of children exchanged in these underground markets are foreign adoptees, the bulk of which are from Ethiopia, Russia, Ukraine, and China. The article does a brilliant job of dispelling the myth that financially stable and intact families who are members of the dominant culture are automatically fit adoptive parents. In-spite of the wealth and privilege required to secure a foreign adoption these families often lack the resources and skills to properly care for a traumatized or neglected youth. The result of this disparity between perceived ability and the reality of trauma informed parenting are these underground markets, markets which expose these vulnerable youth to even further protracted abuse.