General Chat

In the wake of the earthquake in Haiti, the US is trying to speed things up to get children already in the process of adoption out of the country

"Reacting to the humanitarian crisis, the Dutch government fast-tracked the adoption of 109 children already involved in the process before the quake struck, who arrived in the Netherlands on Thursday. "

There were I believe 380,000 orphans in Haiti even before the quake ,

what is your opinion on inter country adoptions? would you ? and if you could afford to adopt , would you consider that better than contributing that money to keep the child in its homeland?

Rose, from what I understand there is still very much an extended family society in Haiti and that generally children will be able to be given to the care of relatives. It's going to take a long time to locate and identify people so I hope nothing is done too quickly.

I'm not sure if the trauma of being taken to another country might be too much to put on children who have already been through the earthquake and losing everything they know. But then I think overseas adoption is preferable to children being placed in orphanages.

I think mostly kids - whatever their background and past and origin - need love and security, so wherever they can get that from is the best option.

I wouldn't adopt a child from Haiti personally.

This is a difficult one.I am too old to adopt now ,but if I thought I could give a young child a chance in life (as all children desreve) I would certainly consider it.
I was adopted as a baby and realise what a s** life I would have had if I hadn't been.But that was from GB.

Hi Lynda, Uggers... Other than those adoptions already in progress, I hope there won't be a knee jerk reaction and take children who might still have family . I think everyone seeing the pictures will run the thought through their mind, that they could 'give one of those children a home' . I feel personally that if it is at all possible that the children should be found families there and supported , rather than shipped around the world... but instinct to 'make it better' as quickly as possible for a little one over-rides long term considerations I think.

I also think that it needs to take some time to be able to adopt a child from any country. If a child is going to receive love and security from an adopted family then why not...I would adopt.

Hi Jane, sorry I am so long in replying, PC is on a go slow or internet is....

I don't think anyone from the Uk would be able to adopt a child orphaned in this disaster in the near future because of our adoption laws.

They in my opinion the children, should be moved to a place a safety be it in their own country or other,,,,,,,,, with no impending adoption hanging over their little heads,,,,,,,,Yet,,,,,,,,,let a search be made for living relatives ,them given the chance,,,,but seeing as they will be in a most dire state and with their loss of housing,family members couldnt cope with more responsibilty lumped on them,,,,,,,,

then look into what would be in the childs best interest,,,

some people I know their daughter is out there with Red Cross. aid workers ...said its horrendous,,,,,!

Hi Kay this seems to be what the US intend

"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday announced a humanitarian parole policy that allows orphaned Haitian children into the U.S. temporarily on a case-by-case basis, so they can receive the care they need."

which is probably fair enough, in terms of essential care required now, and then as you say look into what family can be found and what will be best for each child, after that.

Whoever takes these kids on will have an hell of a job on their hands but the Dutch ar moving too fast these ar lives we ar talking about delicate, fragile lives which must be dealt with in that way

Footie, the Dutch adoptions were already in place...they were orphans BEFORE the quake, not those orphaned BY the quake.
I think that is different. Those orphaned before the quake presumably did not have family who could take them in...those orphaned now, may still have family who can do so.

my opinion is the children should be brought up in their own country
by people of their own race and cred if possible

their culture is very important to them

maybe they could place the children
with families that have lost their own children

I still worry about these children Haiti is still there homeland and whether they were there or no they have seen this mass destruction (albiet natural) or their land ~ adoption is a big upheavel for any child but to live in a new land as well as learn a new language and then there's the culture its a tall order for anyone

I think we all worry about the children, there will hopefully be enough help for this country to get it on it's feet .

As to the language ,well some at least of the children possibly being moved will go to places where Creole and /or French is spoken so that may not be too big a problem .

Rose those aleady destine for adoption and have been placed and found families then getting them to safety is no bad thing,,,,,its a horrible situation really as a 2nd quake could happen anytime,,,,,,keeping all those children safe is paramount,

usuallly they are brought up with full knowledge of their origins and fed their background culture,,its part of the adoption process for overseas children..

havent read the whole thread. but adoption requests in that area have gone ip ten fold..........