Adoption agencies that specialize in adoption of Chinese children say they are getting swamped by callers wanting to know if they can adopt children orphaned by the earthquake in China.
The agencies are telling people not to get their hopes up because many children have been taken in by extended families and because
the Chinese people are more open to adopting children themselves these days.
This
USA Today story adds a little perspective:
Last May, China tightened its (adoption) eligibility rules, barring foreign applicants who are single, gay, obese, older than 50, low-income or have a history of mental illness.
China had been the No. 1 foreign country for adoptions by people in the USA since 2000. Now it is sending fewer orphans: 5,453 in 2007, down from 7,906 in 2005, according to the State Department.
Check with local agencies about how difficult it is these days to adopt internationally. In addition to China's tightened rules, Guatemala has slowed its process. On the other hand,
Ethiopia's adoption process is described as relatively uncomplicated and less expensive.
