Children in foreign countries that are adopted into the United States may not have had a loving family or a home before their adoption. Although every situation is different, the adoptees were most likely abandoned or their families could not support them. Adoption lawyer Debbie Spivack explained there are over 200,000 international adoptions by American families annually (par. 5). A vast majority of these children are given the opportunity of a better life in America opposed to the life they would have had in their birth countries. Margaret Haerens, published author and editor, expressed, “According to human rights law, the child's best interest is paramount… it is better for the child to find a loving, permanent home—even if it is half a world away—than to stay institutionalized in under-resourced orphanages or in foster families” (Haerens “Preface to ‘Should” par. 4) Every child has a right to have a loving family no matter where that may be.
Counterargument/Refute #1: Minority and Discrimination
Some argue that international adoptees are not better off in America due to them being a minority; most of the adoptive families are not the same race as their adopted children. These children are believed to face discrimination when growing up as a minority. Their mental health is then put into question. In the article "Preface to 'What Are the Consequences of International Adoptions?'"edited by Margaret Haerensshe stated, “Being taken from one culture and placed in another is obviously a tricky issue for well-adjusted children, never mind those with sometimes serious… problems. When these children are faced with prejudice from those around them in their new homes, such challenges become even more difficult” (par. 1). While discrimination may be an issue, that does not mean that every adopted child faces heavy discrimination. There are ways for adoptive parents to make sure they are doing what is in the best interest of the child even if they are a minority. Nicole M. Callahan is a Korean American transracial adoptee, and is also the director of publications at the National Council for Adoption, an adoption advocacy organization, as well as the editor of the organization's publication Adoption Advocate; she has written numerous articles, policy papers, and legislative testimony on a wide range of adoption issues.Callahan discussed how people contemplating international adoption should decide if that is the right choice: “Before adopting a child of color, take a close look at your town, your current neighborhood, your school options, your social activities, your religious community, etc. Try and view all of these through the eyes of a nonwhite child” (par. 9). Most discrimination happens because the child is part of a very small minority. Sometimes the adopted child is the only person of his or her race living in that area. Prospective parents are encouraged to think about the type of community of which they will bring the child. The parents should make sure the community is a place where the child will feel at home. Also, if discrimination still occurs, having a loving, transracial family in America is better than the alternative of foster care, poverty, and orphanages (Haerens “Preface to ‘Should” par. 4). In any sort of community, whether diverse or not, international adoption could still be a way to add culture to America and bridge cultural gaps in society.