Why are more people adopting internationally?

• Fewer restrictions. Some adoption agencies that place Caucasian children do not accept single people, applicants over the age of 40, or homosexual couples.

• More availability. In the mid 90s, fewer than 2 percent of unwed white mothers gave up their children for adoption. Compare this to 19.3% in 1973. 

• Foreign connections. Ancestry and personal experience such as travel or military service can create a connection for some people to a certain country, culture, or race.

• No strings attached. Many American states allow biological mothers to reclaim their infant for several months after birth.

• Larger changes. A “historically unprecedented” willingness to adopt across racial, ethnic, and cultural lines.

• Cost. According to one source, overseas adoptions can be cheaper, running $10,00 to $25,000, with U.S. fees running $15,000 to $50,000.


Why is Ethiopia in particular a popular place to seek adoption?

• Ease. There is a growing awareness of the relative ease and clear legal framework of adopting from Ethiopia.

• Compassion for the fallout of disease. HIV/AIDS is the main cause of orphaned children in Ethiopia, responsible for 800,000 of the estimated million orphans (numbers from 2008).

• Stark numbers. A whopping 7% of the Ethiopian population is orphaned.

• Acceptance. Ethiopia allows unmarried women to adopt children.