International AdoptionWhen a mission team from South Florida arrived at Camp Haitia, they saw what to them was the most poverty-stricken land on earth. Some men were literally sick at the sight of the filth in the rivers, on the land, and covering the children. Since Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the world, families do not even have enough to provide for their children and many of them are left to fend for themselves. The mission team saw them bathing in polluted waters and searching for non-existent food. I asked a member of this mission team if adoption was a possibility for any of these children. His response was enthusiastic and emotional. I witnessed firsthand for months his diligent efforts to save at least one Haitian child from a hopeless life. However, in his efforts, my father faced a problem that went beyond the finances and legal aspects of the adoption process. Many wondered if it was ethical for our family to adopt a child from a different culture. Our answer was simple. Yes, international adoption is logical and ethical. Two primary reasons so many Americans seek foreign adoptions are humanitarianism and frustration with domestic adoption laws and policies (Kleiman). Critics of international adoption argue that Americans should not look elsewhere for children when there are so many in need right here in our country. However, there are more families looking for children than children needing a home. There has been a 47% decline in national adoption over the last thirty years (Fulton 2). Some reasons why there are fewer children given up for adoption are the early introduction of sex education in public schools and the easy access...... middle of paper... lost child a family? Works Cited Brodzinsky, Dr. David M. and Marshall d. Schecher. The psychology of adoption. New York: Oxford University Press, 1990. Feigelman, William and Arnold R. Silverman. Chosen children. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1983. Fulton, Kaye E. and Sharon Doyle Driedger and Rae Corelli. "Bringing the baby home." Maclean's, August 21, 1995, 34-39. “Give me your screaming masses: Coming to America.” The Economist February 3, 1996: 22-23.Hibbs, Dr. Euthymia D. Adoption International Perspectives. Madison International Univ. Press, 1991. Jeffreys, Darya P. "International Adoption: Need for Mandatory Medical Screening." Journal of Law and Health Spring-Summer 1996: 243-270.Kleiman, Erika Lynn. “Taking Care of Our Why: America's Adoption Law Must Change.” Columbia Journal of Law and Social Problems Winter 1997: 30.