Child With The Adoptive Parents example essay topic

Adoption: The Process Adoption is metamorphosing into a radical new process that is both sweeping the nation and changing it. But this process is not an easy one, there are many steps to go through. Through research it is made a lot easier. Adoption is a also a highly visible example of a social institution that has benefits from and been reshaped by both the Internet and the exponential growth of alternative lifestyles, from single to trans racial to gay.

It is accelerating our transformation into a more multicultural society; even as it helps redefine out understanding of "family". The process includes three main steps including a type of adoption, the techniques for location a baby for adoption, arranging a successful adoption, the steps at the hospital, and lastly the legal issues in adoption. There are many types of adoption in California, more then any other in the country. The reasonable amount of time it takes to adopt a child is about a year. "Independent adoption is an alternative to agency adoption and is the means by approximately 85 percent of all newborns are adopted in California. Since that is the most popular that is the type that I am going to concentrate.

The reason that it is the most popular is because of four factors. The first is because the independent agency is flexible, secondly it allows the birth mother to personally meet and select adoptive parents, thirdly it allows the adoptive parents to quickly locate the birth mother rather Smith 2 then waiting several years for the agency to do it for them, and lastly the child can be placed in the home of the adoptive parents immediately after birth instead of waiting in a foster home. By law the birth mother must personally place the child with the adoptive parents. That does not mean she has to do it physically it just means she must personally select them.

The birth mother is permitted to release her child into the adoptive parents custody as soon as the hospital discharges the baby, usually 2-3 days old. Generally when the child is six-eight months old the adoptive parents can go to court to permanently finalize the process. A new birth certificate is prepared after the adoption is granted by the court. Independent adoption fees and costs can vary dramatically. Most adoption attorneys charge between 3,000 to 4,000.

The adoption attorney is assisting the adoptive parents in quickly locating a birth mother, obtains background and health information about birth parents, examines the case for potential legal or practical difficulties, and prepares the necessary legal documents and appears in court when necessary. The techniques of finding a baby for adoption through an independent agency. First thing that needs to be done is to select and adoption attorney. Things to consider when choosing an attorney is remember like all professionals there are good ones and there are bad ones.

Consider the quality of their service, depth of their knowledge, and fairness of their fees. The following groups and individuals can provide you with important insight and inside information regarding finding an attorney. The independent adoption social services offices the office is assigned to you is based upon what county Smith 3 you live in, public adoption agencies but they have little relation to independent adoption, private adoption agencies which will have knowledge of local attorneys, physicians may be familiar with adoption attorneys in their community, and adoptive parent associations this is an association formed by adoptive parents which they share information about adoption. Networking is important it refers to "getting the word out" to make as many people aware that you are interested in adopting.

When done correctly, it can work effectively. A photo-resume letter is a way to network to birth mothers. This should be done in no formula because you want the birth mother to know you. The letter should be about one page long, you need to include a picture, explain why you are pursuing to adopt, brief description of yourself, and another tip is to hand sign each letter. Arranging a successful adoption, finally the waiting pays off- you learn that the birth mother has expressed an interest in you and wants to meet you in person to determine if you are the right adoptive parents. There are some key issues to explore in determining if the birth mother is emotionally ready and sincere regarding adoption planning.

You want to be aware of the birth mothers due date because ideally you want to be in contact with her in the last couple months of her pregnancy. You also want to be concerned with the birth parents health history. The independent agency with ask the birth parents to fill out a health questionnaire. You should also ask the mother to sign a Release of Information form that will allow her physician and the hospital to release her information. Personal motives is also a topic you want to explore. There are some risky Smith 4 reasons for wanting adoption.

If the birth mother is putting the child up for adoption just to satisfy her parents demands or because of the boyfriend, those can be very risky. There are also steps that need to be clear at the hospital which are more important in an adoption then a traditional birth. Some things that need to be taken before the birth are the hospital needs to be chosen, the Health Facility Minor Release is a form that needs to be filled out by the birth mother to release the child directly to the birth parents. The birth mother can also chose to chose a room on or off the maternity ward.

The reason that one chooses off the maternity ward is because it is away from the parents who are bringing their baby home. When the baby is born the hospital usually lets the adoptive parents see the baby, visiting hours usually don't apply. The birth mother is still the legal parent and so only she can authorize any medical procedures regarding the child during the hospitalization. Before the baby is discharged the hospital will examine the baby and authorize the child's release. Do not worry if the mother has chosen a name for the child different from the one you have chosen. Your Petition for Adoption will state how you wish to change the child's name, and a new birth certificate will be made by the court.

Smith 5 Work Cited Hicks, Randall. Nunez, Linda. Adopting in California, How to find a Child. Word Slinger Press.

1992. Melina, Lois Rusk ai. Rosz ia, Sharon Kaplan. The Open Adoption Experience. Harper Perennial. 1993.

Per tman, Adam. Adoption Nation. Basic Books. 2000.