Using orphaned children as political fodder

Russian dictator, er, President, Vladimir Putin has signed a law prohibiting adoption of Russian orphans by Americans (article here). It also appears that some adoptions which were already in process may not be allowed to go forward. The purported measures to make it easier for Russians to adopt the children are certainly welcome, but this politically-motivated prohibition is despicable.

Report on "closed" adoptions released . . .

Internet reveals secrets of 'closed' adoptions, report says

It's hard to keep secrets in the age of social media and the adoption world is no exception. Cadieux's story is just one that shows how the Internet is making it easier for birth relatives to find each other, hastening the end of the era of "closed" adoption, the nonprofit Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute said in a report released Thursday. Birth parents are seeking out their kids and adopted children are going online to find biological relatives, often without their adoptive parents' knowledge, according to the report, "Untangling the Web: The Internet's Transformative Impact on Adoption." Adam Pertman, executive director of the Adoption Institute, said he hopes the report will help shape policies and practices that harness the new technology while protecting vulnerable children and parents. "We hope this report will serve as a wake-up call that something historic is happening that demands the attention of legislators, practitioners, law-enforcement officials and the affected parties themselves," Pertman said.

Here's the PDF report . . .

International adoptions plummet globally | Fox News

The number of international adoptions has plummeted to its lowest point in 15 years, a steep decline attributed largely to crackdowns against baby-selling, a sputtering world economy and efforts by countries to place more children with domestic families.

Read more by clicking here.

Bubba Watson: Proud adoptive father . . . and Master's champion

Sweet expression of adoptive father's heart Bubba Watson Now Faces Task of Mastering Fame - ABC News:

Watson showed his emotions at the start of the week. Stopped under the oak tree after a practice round, someone asked him what it would mean to win, and he brought up the adoption of his first son, Caleb, two weeks ago. Watson got so choked up he walked away.
Winning the Masters? He was uncontrollable.

No comment . . .

No comment. Serial sperm donor reveals he’s a virgin

'Glee' plot fosters adoption fears . . .

'Glee' adoption plot sparks online petition - latimes.com Critics say:

. . . the show irresponsibly raises fear for adopted children that they can be taken away from their families, and that the plot also could cause confusion for families who adopt. She said the story line perpetuates one of the most pervasive and harmful myths about adoption: that a birth mother can take a child away from a family or pop back into the child's life.

Sadly, Hollywood is in the entertainment--not the education, business, so accuracy is not a priority.

Access to birth certificates in TN for adult adoptees

Here's a one-sided article ("Adult Adoptees Fight For Access to Original Birth Certificates" - ABC News) about mandating access to adoption files that were "sealed" at the time of the adoption. I say one-sided, because there are legitimate reasons to not overturn these laws--or standing "compacts" (if you will), between adoption agencies, birth parents and adoptive parents. The article only alludes to these reasons and seemingly attempts to dismiss any opposition with the sub-header, "Religious Groups Oppose Access to Original Birth Certificates" . . . you mean religious groups like the NJ Bar Association and the ACLU?

The New Jersey bill faces opposition from New Jersey Right to Life, the Catholic Church, the New Jersey Bar Association, the National Council for Adoption and even the ACLU, who defend the privacy rights of birth parents.

In any event, I was glad to see that Tennessee is listed as one of only 9 states where access to birth certificates is "broadly available."



For more information about adoption in Tennessee, please feel free to contact me through my website.