Jason Kovacs:
The U.S. State Department recently released its official numbers for international adoptions in the 2009 fiscal year (Oct 2008 to Sept 2009.) They show a steep 27 percent drop — only 12,753 international adoptions, down from 17,438 in 2008. This number is more than 40 percent lower than the all-time peak of 22,884 in 2004.
What has led to such a decline?
There are many factors but decisions by foreign countries to limit, slow or completely halt foreign adoptions because of ethical issues are a major contributor.
Chuck Johnson, chief operating officer of the National Council for Adoption, said the new figures dismayed him and other advocates of international adoption.
“This drop is not a result of fewer orphans or less interest from American families in adopting children from other countries,” he said. “All of us are very discouraged because we see the suffering taking place. We don’t know how to fix it without the U.S. government coming alongside.”
Read the AP article here.
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