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 Children
Available
- 79%
of children adopted are under one
- Children are usually given up by the mother at birth
- Questionable reasons for entering the adoption system
How Guatemalan children are entering the adoption
system is questionable. These babies usually come from poor, unwed teenage mothers, but it has come to
light recently that bribes, threats, and even deaths are connected with many mother’s decisions. Baby-selling
has erupted as a lucrative market. In some cases, jaladoras (baby brokers) “start off by offering
to pay the expectant mother’s medical bills and to provide them with economic support, and in some cases they eventually
deceive the pregnant women into signing a blank paper, who thus unknowingly authorize the adoption of their child” (Rights).
The “blank” paper they sign is actually the required relinquishment document that all birth mothers must
sign. Adoption lawyers have countered that claim by pointing out the required DNA tests that mothers and
children must have to make sure they are related (Miller 59). These measures do not help, however, when
the mother is illiterate, as is about thirty-seven percent of the female population of Guatemala, or coerced into signing
(“Guatemala”). There have even been reports of mothers forced or paid to get pregnant and put
a baby up for adoption.
Video: baby-selling epidemic
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 The
Adoption System
Type of Care: Foster Care Foster
care is the ideal situation for an orphaned child. It provides a family environment with one-on-one attention
and usually proper medical care and nutrition. In a study of 103 adopted Guatemalan children in the United
States, “children from foster care had significantly better z scores for height, weight, and head circumference that
those from orphanage or mixed care” (Chan et al.). A z score is where one falls in a percentage range.
A higher z score on head circumference means those in foster care on average had a greater circumference than those in an
orphanage. There are also many children in orphanages, but they are rarely adopted. “Over
300 orphanages exist in the country, but few children are ever adopted because of the lengthy times it takes for an infant
to be declared abandoned and eligible for adoption” (Miller 60). Babies who have been signed over
by their birth mother can be placed much faster than those who are not signed over.
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Medical Records
Minimal
Although little time is spent in foster care for most children and the children
are generally healthy, not much is known about their medical history. “From Guatemala, we typically get a one-line statement saying the baby was seen, and is healthy,”
said Dr. Jenista in an interview with New York Times (Tuller). In a large majority of Guatemalan orphans, “young infants
have scant medical records, with minimal birth information, a physical examination, and basic blood tests (CBC, syphilis,
HIV)” (Miller 83). The issue is not so much the current health though, but the need for accurate and detailed
records to help physicians with
future problems.
Adoption Costs:
Cost: 25,000 to 30,000 USD
Why?
Cost of Guatemalan adoptions
varies based largely on the private nature of the adoption. Because there are no regulations set, a lawyer
can charge whatever they would like. Much of the money paid can go to bribes and other things not associated
with the adoption itself. For example, if a Guatemalan adoption cost 30,000, it is possible that up to
18,000 of that goes to the lawyer’s pocket (Jenista). A portion of the cost may also go to pay the
birth mother for giving up her child.
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Who Can Adopt?
To increase adoption,
which has become an industry for the country, Guatemala has continued to have few criteria for prospective families. They
do not look at many important criteria, such as parental health and financial status. This not in the best interest
of the child. Rather, it benefits the Guatemalan adoption lawyers handling the adoptions.
- Married/single parents must be 18 years of age
- There are no requirements for an
age-difference between the prospective adoptive parent and the child
- There are no
disqualifying medical ineligibilities
- There is no limit to the number of children an American family can already have or adopt
To increase adoption, which has become an industry for the
country, Guatemala has continued to have few criteria for prospective families. They
do not look at many important criteria, such as parental health and financial status. This not in the best interest
of the child. Rather, it benefits the Guatemalan adoption lawyers handling the adoptions.
- Married/single parents must be 18 years of age
- There are no requirements for an
age-difference between the prospective adoptive parent and the child
- There are no
disqualifying medical ineligibilities
- There is no limit to the number of children an American family can already have or adopt
Recommendations
on Guatemalan Adoption
Guatemala has very few parent requirements. It is a good choice for young families, families with many children, and
singles. Parental medical history is not a deciding factor in adoptions, so those with illnesses (providing they are
not life threatening) should choose Guatemala. It is also recommended for families with a poor financial history or
a low income. For families wanting healthy, well socialized children, Guatemala's foster care system
is appealing. The children reside in families until adoption and receive decent medical care.
While Guatemalan
adoptions are attractive due to few standards and good care, they are not recommended for parents wanting to
work with an ethical adoption system. Many parents are made uneasy by distinct possibilty that their child was taken
from their parents illegally. Also, there are no national regulations, meaning costs are set by private lawyers.
They can charge whatever they like and can add on costs during the process.
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Link to works cited
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