Adoption Vs. Procreation
So I’ve always been fascinated by the sheer ease in which people are able to have children. Nearly anyone can have children, and nearly everyone does. But not everyone can raise them. Which is why adoption exists.
As taken from an Oregon.gov website:
Adoption: A Step-by-Step Guide:
Adoption-who can apply
It may take from four to six months for the training, homestudy (family assessment) and criminal history check to be completed. The timeframe from initial inquiry before a child is placed with you may take up to a year, possibly longer, depending on your personal circumstances and the child you are seeking to adopt. Families waiting for a younger child will typically wait longer than families open to older children, sibling groups, or children with disabilities.
STEP 1: Find out more
The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and private agencies with the Special Needs Adoption Coalition (SNAC) offer opportunities for you to talk with staff or attend an informational meeting to ask questions and learn more. For more information or scheduled orientations, please contact 1.800.331.0503 or SNAC member agency.
STEP 2: Make the decision to adopt
Becoming an adoptive parent will bring major changes to your life. Because of that, it is important every member of your household considers what that will mean to them. The following is a list of questions that can help you make the right decision with your family:
* Does everyone in our family believe that adoption is right for us?
* Do we have friends or family that will support us in this decision?
* Do we have space in our home for a child? Can we take siblings?
* Is there an age group or gender that would work best with our family?
* Are there special needs a child may have that we would not be comfortable taking on?
STEP 3: Attend training
The training provided by DHS will prepare you for transitioning a child into your family and parenting children who may have been abused or neglected and have experienced disruptions in their life. Topics include:
* The children and their special needs
* The process to adoption
* Where to get support and resources
STEP 4: Complete an application
After deciding to adopt, you will need to complete an application and asked for 4 to 5 references. A background check that includes criminal history and child abuse reports will be done. You will be asked to provide a physical and medical history check to be sure that you are in good health and have the ability to care for a child.
STEP 5: Homestudy
After an application is accepted, the homestudy process begins with your assigned worker. This is a very thoughtful process consisting of a series of interviews, home visits, safety/fire inspections and sometimes medical information from your doctor.
STEP 6: Wait for a match
Once a family has an approved homestudy and the criminal background check is completed, the family will be ready for a placement. The family works with their caseworker to find a waiting child who best matches the interests and strengths of their family. At the same time, the child’s caseworker is looking for a family who can best meet the needs of the child.
In Oregon, the decision on placing the child with a family normally rests with an adoption committee. For each child, the committee assesses the child’s needs and tries to make the best possible match with a family. The adoption committee reviews applications from several families and evaluates the relevant strengths and skills of each. The child is matched with the family that will be the best for that child.
Families may undergo certification and acquire a foster care license while waiting for finalization of their adoption.
Transition – Preparing a child for transition from foster care into your family is a slow and thoughtful process. It involves teamwork by many people who have been involved in the child’s life. The new adoptive parents will receive full disclosure on the child’s medical history and assessments. A plan will be made for each child to adjust to his/her new family. Visits typically start as short meetings and increase in length as you and the child get to know each other. These visits may go on for weeks or possibly months until the child can fully transition into living in your home.
STEP 7: Supervision
After a child is placed with you, the worker will schedule visits with you and the child at least once a month. This visit will occur in the family home at a minimum of every 60 days. He or she will want separate time with the child during these visits. Post placement supervision lasts for at least 6 months. If the child or adoptive family needs support, the caseworker will help find services as needed.
Adoption finalization – After a child has been placed in a home for the purpose of adoption, and the family and professionals agree that it is time to do so, the legal action of finalization occurs.
A judge will issue a final decree of adoption. At this point the child is legally part of the adoptive family and the adoptive family has permanent, legal parental rights and responsibilities. Once an adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents receive a birth certificate with their name(s) listed as the parent(s).
Now what if?…
Procreation: A Step-by-Step Guide:
Procreation-who can apply
It may take from four to six months for the training, homestudy (family assessment) and criminal history check to be completed. The timeframe from initial inquiry before you can have a child may take up to a year, possibly longer, depending on your personal circumstances.
STEP 1: Find out more
The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and private agencies with the Special Needs Coalition (SNC) offer opportunities for you to talk with staff or attend an informational meeting to ask questions and learn more. For more information or scheduled orientations, please contact 1.800.331.0503 or SNC member agency.
STEP 2: Make the decision to procreate
Becoming a parent will bring major changes to your life. Because of that, it is important every member of your household considers what that will mean to them. The following is a list of questions that can help you make the right decision with your family:
* Does everyone in our family believe that having a child is right for us?
* Do we have friends or family that will support us in this decision?
* Do we have space in our home for a child?
* If the child has special needs would we be able to handle them?
STEP 3: Attend training
The training provided by DHS will prepare you for transitioning a child into your family and parenting children. Topics include:
* Children and the developmental process
* Effective parenting methods
* Where to get support and resources
STEP 4: Complete an application
After deciding to procreate, you will need to complete an application and asked for 4 to 5 references. A background check that includes criminal history and child abuse reports will be done. You will be asked to provide a physical and medical history check to be sure that you are in good health and have the ability to care for a child.
STEP 5: Homestudy
After an application is accepted, the homestudy process begins with your assigned worker. This is a very thoughtful process consisting of a series of interviews, home visits, safety/fire inspections and sometimes medical information from your doctor.
STEP 6: Procreate
Once a family has an approved homestudy and the criminal background check is completed, the family will be ready for pregnancy. For each embryo, God assesses the potential child’s needs and tries to make the best possible match with a family. God reviews several potential families that are in the procreation stage and evaluates the relevant strengths and skills of each. The embryo forms with the family that will be the best for that child.
Families may undergo certification and acquire a parenting license while waiting for finalization of their pregnancy.
Transition – Preparing a family for transitioning the new family member into your home is a slow and thoughtful process. It involves teamwork by many people who have been involved in the new parents lives. A plan will be made for the parents to adjust to their new life. Visits typically start as short meetings and increase in length as the child gets older. These visits may go on for weeks or possibly months until the parents can fully transition into their new roles and responsibilities.
STEP 7: Supervision
After bringing the infant home, the worker will schedule visits with you and the child at least once a month. This visit will occur in the family home at a minimum of every 60 days. He or she will want separate time with the child during these visits. Post placement supervision lasts for at least 6 months. If the child or family needs support, the caseworker will help find services as needed.
Procreation finalization – After a child has been placed in a home, and the family and professionals agree that it is time to do so, the legal action of finalization occurs.
A judge will issue a final decree of successful procreation. At this point the child is legally part of the family and the new parents have permanent, legal parental rights and responsibilities. Once a successful procreation is finalized, the parents receive a birth certificate with their name(s) listed as the parent(s).
April 10th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I agree. regulating procreation is stupid and ridiculous. Funny post.
April 10th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
No matter in which matter a child enters your life, parenting is still hard. All the training in the world will not answer all your questions because your sweet little child hasn’t read the same books as you did and they refuse to play by the rules in those books.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!
April 13th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Actually Sean, I was advocating for that very idea.
Susan, I agree with you. However, my post was more about regulating who can have children, not so much about how tough parenting is. The fact remains, some people should not be allowed to procreate.
I do like how this blog generated some differing thoughts and opinions though.
April 15th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
The thing is, I think a lot of people step up once they have kids (planned or not). I don’t think any first time parent truly knows what their life will be like after having kids. I think you make sacrifices you never dreamed of for your little one. But I also think even the best parents have a break down every once in awhile – and maybe even in public, where people look at you like you’re completely unfit.
I see your procreation steps almost as an outline for what a lot of people do already within their own families when they conceive a child on their own – talk to people about if they think you’re ready, figure out if a new budget or living situation is needed, take pregnancy/parenting classes, and after the child arrives, experienced family members check in and make sure you’re doing ok and give advice. I think it’s great to encourage, but enforcing it in any way is dubious.
I’m more of a proponent of limiting gov aid to those who repeatedly make poor choices, rather than limiting one’s reproductive rights.
April 16th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
I’ve always thought there should be a test you have to pass to have children. There are WAY to many stupid people popping out kids.
May 27th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Very interesting writing! Really.
May 29th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Heh am I actually the only comment to this incredible read?
May 30th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
You have done it once again! Superb article!