November 28, 2012
Wednesday’s Adoption News Round-up
There’s a lot of interesting news out there this week! From issues with technicalities surrounding the matching process, to agencies that may now legally be able to discriminate – here’s this week’s adoption news round-up!
The Montana tribal elder who “adopted” Obama during the 2008 presidential election died Monday at his home. During the adoption, Obama took part in a ritual ceremony where he was given a name that means “One Who Helps People Throughout the Land.” It’s so interesting to read about how adoption is translated in other cultures – the idea of expanding a family and honoring someone through adoption is so special no matter how it’s done.
Earlier this week The Guardian ran a great article about the obstacles of “matching” in the adoption world. There are many characteristics that the adoption world, birth parents and adoptive families deem the most appropriate for effective parenting – age being one of them. But these expectations can be deceiving. The point of view the article raises, that it’s not who you are, it’s how you parent, carries great weight.
Well, Michigan is certainly doing something groundbreaking. New legislation could potentially be passed allowing private adoption agencies the right to discriminate against couples who compromise the agency’s “religious or moral convictions.” This is the exact opposite of what happened with Catholic Charities, which had to shut down because Illinois did not allow them to discriminate about same-sex adoption once civil unions became legal in the state. We don’t agree with discrimination at all in adoption – everyone willing to love and support a child to their fullest extent deserves to have a family. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.
The Telegraph posted this wonderful article written by a woman who recently adopted twins – here, she reflects on the first two weeks of her adoption and what it’s like. The unexpected parts, the nervousness – this is a very honest portrayal about what that time is like. Something we’re sure all adoptive parents will appreciate.
The Daily Mail revealed that only 1 out of 8 parents applying to adopt are approved by social workers. What’s happening to the other 22,000?
