Is adoption really saving Haitian children?
The Racialicious blog has been posting some interesting and thought-provoking articles on the instinct to "save" Haitian children through adoption to the United States, and why we need to re-think our motives and examine the ethical realities involved in international adoptions in general—and particularly when the children come from a country in the midst of a crisis. One of the biggest concerns: Whether children labeled "orphan" really are, and whether their parents have approved an adoption. Is immediately placing kids with new families in America really a greater good than getting them short-term care in Haiti, and trying to reunite them with their families?
Those posts are a perfect lead-in to news reports about a Baptist missionary group from Idaho who were caught trying to bring 33 Haitian "orphans" across the border into the Dominican Republic without proper paperwork or permissions. Many of the kids still have parents, who were apparently told that their children were simply being taken to a safe, clean school and would be able to visit their parents any time they wished. That's also the story the missionaries are telling authorities.
However, the Web site for New Life Children's Refuge makes it clear that the place was intended to connect American families with children they could adopt. The New York Times reports:
In addition to providing a swimming pool, soccer field and access to the beach for the children, the group, known as the New Life Children's Refuge, said it also planned to "provide opportunities for adoption," and "seaside villas for adopting parents to stay while fulfilling the requirement for 60-90 day visit."
Image of a Haitian boy (not one involved in the missionary case) courtesy Flickr user Photo Denbow, via CC
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Maggie Koerth-Baker
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