Problems With Adoption

When speaking of problems with adoption, this usually refers to placements falling through, paperwork being held up, nontraditional adopter stigmas, failed home studies or behavioral and health issues developing in the child.

One of the biggest fears an adopter has in an independent or private infant adoption is that the birth mother will change her mind and decide to not place the child with the couple. There's no way to ensure this problem won't arise, but a majority of semi-open and open adoptions have higher rates of successful placements. Things that may intervene with a placement may have something to do with the attorney or future birth mother's relatives and immediate family.

For nontraditional adopters, problems with adoption arise from finding an agency that can see single parents, gays, those with disabilities and older adopters as perfectly fine candidates for adoption approval. Many marital and gender barriers keep adopters from working with certain agencies and countries.

Problems with international adoption commonly arise in the form of waiting. International paperwork can take months and months to process. Abiding by the adoption laws in the U.S. and the child's country of origin can also create an obstacle or two.

And, lastly, a huge problem within the adoption process is failing a home study. Even if a couple is the most qualified team to raise a child and start a family, some case workers may think the couple or individual needs time to grow a little bit before they're ready to adopt. This can be tough news but shouldn't end a couple's hopes to start a family.

A child's health and behavioral issues may be present before adoption or may develop after placement and can be an isolating experience for some parents. Finding support forums and groups can help with handling these issues.