First Steps Toward More Adoption Information
By Carrie Craft, About.com Guide
- Making the Decision to Adopt
- The Adoption Process
- International Adoption
- Single Parent Adoption
- Interracial Adoption
Making the Decision to Adopt
It doesn't matter if you're already parenting, have adopted in the past or lacking the sound of little feet running around your home, more than likely the thought of adopting a child brings a bit of fear. It also brings up many questions. Let's focus on finding some answers.
- Before You Decide Adopting a Child Is for You
- Considering Interracial Adoption
- What Is an Open Adoption?
- Why Choose an Open Adoption? - The Pros and Cons
- To Add a Child or Not to Add a Child - Timing May be the Answer
- How Much Does an Adoption Cost?
- Common Myths About Open Adoption
- Reluctant to Be a Dad
The Adoption Process
The best place to begin any process is with information! Learn all you can about adoption and adoptive parenting.
- Before You Start the Adoption Process
- Getting Started with the Adoption Process
- How To Complete a Foster Care Adoption
- How to Complete a Step-Parent Adoption
- What Is a Home Study?
- What Is a Child Referral?
- What Are the Differences in the Level of Contact in Open Adoptions?
- When Is an Open Adoption Not a Good Idea?
- Adoption Grants and Loans May Help with the High Cost of Adoption
- What Is an Adoption Subsidy?
International Adoption
The world of international adoption is always changing it seems. So it's important to stay up to date on the changing world of international adoption and the issues.
- How to Start the International Adoption Process
- What Is the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption?
- Top 5 Reasons to Re-Adopt Your Internationally Adopted Child Once Back in the US
- Can a U.S. Child Be Adopted by Parents Who Are Citizens of Another Country?
- Russian Adoption
- Ukraine Adoption
- Guatemala Adoption
- China Adoption
- Can an Adult From a Foreign Country be Adopted into the United States?
Single Parent Adoption
Don't discount yourself from parenthood due to your single status. There are children waiting to fill your heart and home. Single parent adoptions are very popular and possible.
Interracial Adoption
Thanks to the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act of 1994 and the revisions made in 1996, it is against the law to prohibit an adoption or delay an adoption based solely on the race of the adoptive parents or child. Now the decision rests mainly with the families, social workers, and agencies involved. What issues should you consider before making the final decision to adopt interracially?
- Considering Interracial Adoption
- The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute Explores Interracial Adoptions
- Multi-Ethnic Placement Act
- Cross-Cultural Adoption: The Do's and Don'ts for Grown-Ups
- What do you think about transracial adoptions?
- 14 Ways to Focus on Culture
- Skin Conditions and Children of Color
Gay Adoption
Many gay and lesbians are creating a family through adoption. Here are some basics and first steps for the gay and lesbian community.
- Deciding if Adoption Is the Right Choice for Your Gay Family
- Gay Adoption Basics
- What Are Some Adoption Options for Gay & Lesbian Couples?
- Choosing an LGBT Friendly Attorney
- Legal Issues for the Gay and Lesbian Family
- The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute: Eliminating Barriers to Gay Adoption
- Gay and Lesbian Parenting Sites
- Reading List for Gay Parents
- Gay Adoption Reading for Gay/Lesbian Families
Adoption Search & Reunion
The vast majority of the emails I receive are from people trying to locate different family members separated by adoption. Learn how to do an adoption search or how to work with adoption search volunteers like adoption search angels. Discover the ins and outs of adoption reunion. What to expect and what to avoid.
- All About Adoption Search
- 10 Things to Do to Help Find Family Separated by Adoption - A Checklist
- How to Find Someone
- Why Use Adoption Registries in Your Adoption Search?
- How to Work With Adoption Search Angels
- Before You Do DNA Testing to Complete an Adoption Search
Adoption Law
As long as adoption and foster care is a part of our society, there will be issues surrounding these topics. Everyone has their own view points on adoption and foster care, often because adoption and foster care touch so many lives. Here are a few of the hottest topics including adoption law and the rights of the different members of the adoption and foster care community.
- Adoption Laws by State
- Landmark Cases in Adoption Law
- Putative Father Registries Analyzed Through Different Court Cases & Law
- What Is The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act?
- What Is the Adoption and Safe Families Act?
Birth Parent Rights
For many years birth parents have felt that they have not had a voice. The Internet has brought many birth parents the needed voice to speak on their behalf and demand to be heard. Here are what they have to say.