Why the long wait?

The 'hubby' was checking out the blog last night and brought it to my attention that I have not posted as much this month compared to last month. I think in a 'nice' way he was telling me to pull up my socks and get back to gabbing so I'm heeding his advice and it occurred to me that a lot of people don't understand why we are waiting so long. I say this because every time someone askes how's the adoption going we say "oh, we have to wait a bit longer" the response is always the same, "Whats taking so long?" Well, here's why.

The wait is so long due to a number of reasons.

One is due to the number of adoption files registered at the CCAA. Remember, China is the preference of the adoption community so there are millions of files being received and logged in EVERY DAY from ALL over the world so its not just the "hubby" and I. When these files are received at the CCAA they are grouped, colour coded and sit on a shelf waiting to be looked at. Basically we have to wait our turn.

Another reason contributing to the long wait is China's economic growth and the standard of living (in some provinces) has improved. This affects the adoption community in three major ways. The first is that people have more money so, if they have a second child, they now have an option, they can afford to pay the Govt fine imposed on them for having the second child. This brings me to the second reason. People abandon less babies so there are less in the orphanages which means a longer wait because there is a larger number of people wanting to adopt than there are babies to go around. The thrid reason for the long wait is that China has realised they will have an uneven gender population. Simply put, there will be a tonne of men but no women (They have all been adopted internationally) therefore the Chinese Govt. has begun an in-country incentive to promote adoption. The result, more Chinese people, because they have more money and want to have a child/children are adopting from their own orphanages therefore less babies available for international adopters. Mind you, I think this is wonderful because if there is a chance that a baby can be adopted into their own culture so be it.

As well, the wait is made that much longer because not all orphanages in China are registerd with the CCAA. The impression of the CCAA is that many of these unregistered orphanages do not want the hassle in filling out the paper work for the CCAA and would rather just leave the babies in the orphanages so they can secure Govt. subsidies as well as their jobs. There is much discussion on "paper-ready babies" lately and apparently the CCAA is currently actively pursuing these orphanages to sign up so that there will be more babies available. This would cut down on the long wait for international adopters.

For me, this last reason is a catch 22 of sorts. It is wonderful news that if these orphanages were to get on board with the CCAA more babies would find homes and the wait would possibly decrease. Now I could leave it at that but anyone who knows me, knows that I have to analyize it. I worry sometimes about this because the orphanages currently signed on with the CCAA have been for years. These orphanages and the babies that reside in them, through international adoption have benefited immenseley. Think about it, every single adoptive couple (and remember they are from all over the world) is required to make a 3,000.00 to 6,0000.00 donation to the orphanage they are adopting from. Now, out of this money the orphanage buys essentials (Fridges, walkers, food, toys, clothing, updated medical care,increases the nanny's pay, washers, dryers and even build new state of the art orphanages - you get the point) So, naturally every baby/child that comes from these orphanages is getting more and more on target developmentally, less health issues due to malnutrition etc. So, I can't help ponder over what the 'new paper ready babies' will be like. We, as adoptive parents will have to take on more responsibility. These babies will be weak, frail and probably sick, developmentally who knows what stage they will be at. (Now, before you get your knickers in a knot I'm not saying that all the babies coming from the familiar orphanages are picture perfect-some are'nt BUT there is a certain predictability on what to expect)The question for me is, do I want some sort of predictability and endure the LONG wait or do I want a speedy pickup and a child with more unpredictability referred to me?

So, now you know the reasons for why we have to wait.