How have your adoptions been so fast? Aren’t you worried about ethics?
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When we were approached about Zoe’s need for a family, our first questions were about ethics.
Same with these three in Uganda.
Why? Because we only want to adopt a child who needs a family. If anything unethical is happening – like coercion of birth parents or other family members or kidnapping or child trafficking – then the solution should be to reunite the child with his or her family. In that case, the child doesn’t need a family; he needs justice.
Interestingly, most of the Bible verses about earthly adoption talk less about child placement and more about justice. Caring for orphans can include adoption, but sometimes the just outcome is something different. I love supporting ministries that focus on more than just adoption in their efforts to care for children in need.
That said, reunification isn’t always possible. The justice for some orphans is adoption.
We all know stories of people who waited years to adopt a child. Some of my friends are still in the middle – hopefully nearing the end! – of a long wait.
Us? Zoe’s adoption took less than six months, from start to finish. Right now, it looks like this adoption will be fast-paced too. (Just got an estimate from our agency - it's looking like we might travel in August and come home with our precious ones in September!)
Adoption ethicists will tell you about red flags for adoptions. I’m thankful for their guidance, because I’ve learned questions to ask to determine which programs to trust and which ones to avoid.
Adoptions that are quick and easy? That’s considered a major red flag.
And it can be.
But long waits are frequently due to families waiting for a child to be born or made available who meets their criteria. (Or due to something else altogether, like long legal processes and bureaucratic disorganization.)
Adopting child who is waiting for a family, usually an older child, sibling group, or kiddo with special needs? That’s often - though not always - much faster.
In our adoptions, that’s been the factor accelerating the process. (Plus the timing with the country’s courts went in our favor with Zoe.)
Speed and ethics? Yes, they can go hand in hand in adoption.
They have in ours.
Same with these three in Uganda.
Why? Because we only want to adopt a child who needs a family. If anything unethical is happening – like coercion of birth parents or other family members or kidnapping or child trafficking – then the solution should be to reunite the child with his or her family. In that case, the child doesn’t need a family; he needs justice.
Interestingly, most of the Bible verses about earthly adoption talk less about child placement and more about justice. Caring for orphans can include adoption, but sometimes the just outcome is something different. I love supporting ministries that focus on more than just adoption in their efforts to care for children in need.
That said, reunification isn’t always possible. The justice for some orphans is adoption.
We all know stories of people who waited years to adopt a child. Some of my friends are still in the middle – hopefully nearing the end! – of a long wait.
Us? Zoe’s adoption took less than six months, from start to finish. Right now, it looks like this adoption will be fast-paced too. (Just got an estimate from our agency - it's looking like we might travel in August and come home with our precious ones in September!)
Adoption ethicists will tell you about red flags for adoptions. I’m thankful for their guidance, because I’ve learned questions to ask to determine which programs to trust and which ones to avoid.
Adoptions that are quick and easy? That’s considered a major red flag.
And it can be.
But long waits are frequently due to families waiting for a child to be born or made available who meets their criteria. (Or due to something else altogether, like long legal processes and bureaucratic disorganization.)
Adopting child who is waiting for a family, usually an older child, sibling group, or kiddo with special needs? That’s often - though not always - much faster.
In our adoptions, that’s been the factor accelerating the process. (Plus the timing with the country’s courts went in our favor with Zoe.)
Speed and ethics? Yes, they can go hand in hand in adoption.
They have in ours.