International Adoption
and the movie “Stuck”

photo by Je.T.’s photostream used under Creative Commons license

My brother and sister-in-law are moving to Hong Kong next month and plan to adopt a daughter from China or Hong Kong. Since the implementation of The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (or Hague Adoption Convention), the number of international adoptions to the U.S. has slowed to a trickle. Meanwhile, there are millions of orphans around the world in need of a family to love and care for them and hundreds of thousands of parents in the U.S. who desire to adopt.

Year after year, children wait in orphanages. And year after year, parents who would like to adopt wait for a child to join their family. But the system is broken.

Because orphanages often lack the resources or a sufficient number of caregivers to adequately meet the needs of the children in their charge, institutionalized children often develop severe health and emotional challenges. Most of which would be prevented easily and naturally if adoptions were timely.

The new documentary, “Stuck,” tells about the current state of international adoption and the need for reform to the adoption process. Watch the trailer (above or at www.stuckdocumentary.com) and consider buying/sharing/borrowing the film. Share this information with others who care about the welfare of children and families.

Also, please take 30 seconds to sign the petition requesting Washington D.C. to make this issue a higher priority.