Arguments Against International Adoption

There is a current debate on whether or not children from other countries should be adopted by parents outside of their country. At the core of this debate is the basic human rights issue. According to Gunner, Bruce, and Grotevant (2000) supporters of international adoption see international adoption as giving children the most fundamental human rights, the right to have a loving family who will give them their basic needs to grow up healthy and have a fulfilling life. But on the flip side those that oppose international adoption argue that it’s in fact violating these children’s human rights along with those of their birth parents. It is felt by the opposing side that the only people benefiting from international adoption are the adults who are becoming parents through adoption. Human rights activist who are speaking out against international adoption have spoken in ways that are critical, often calling for abolishment, limitations on where children can be placed, and condemning placing children in places other than orphanages or institutions until in country adoptions can take place. The voices of these human rights activists have had a powerful impact due in part to the International Children’s Rights …show more content…
Typically the adoptive parents are privileged white individuals from one of the richer countries. These adoptive parents will be adopting a child who was born to a poor underprivileged birth mother who is of a different race and ethnic background living in a poor country (Latham, 2013). While international adoption is filled with controversy, some see it as a positive form of adoption (Dillon, 2003). However, many still see international adoption as a form of human exploitation with the rich and powerful taking children from the powerless, racial, and other minority groups (Perry,