# Tsunami Orphans - How to adopt? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 5, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267 "2005-01-05T20:19:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/21 "2005-01-07T14:53:12Z")
Cartooniverse, you misunderstood me - outward flow is a different thing than inward flow. International law does not supercede the rights of a nation. But international law makes it difficult to adopt out children in times of crisis. In other words, the UN cannot demand S. Korea’s quota be lifted, or that they allow single parents to adopt. But, the treaties the US signed would forbid us from granting entrance visas in the case of war or natural disaster to avoid trafficking and removing children that may find homes with relatives. The U.S. State Department is very cautious on the issue of “child trafficking” and shuts down adoptions from countries where this may be the case. (I know you know all this - you needed to get the darn entrance visas as well). It will be interesting to see how they choose to handle adoptions from India and Thailand over the next year. Waiting international kids who can be adopted can be found here: [http://www.rainbowkids.com/wc/index.jsp](http://www.rainbowkids.com/wc/index.jsp) But CrazyFoo, I’ll second NoCoolUsername. You don’t adopt children because you want to “save” them. Adopt them because you selfishly NEED to love them. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/22 "2005-01-07T15:10:09Z")
[An article](http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/10585214.htm) from today’s Philadelphia Inquirer, talking about how it may be in the best interest of the children to keep them with friends/relatives in the country of their origin, if possible. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/23 "2005-01-07T17:53:36Z")
[Chicago Sun-Times: Tsunami orphans aren’t up for adoption for now](http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-orphan07.html) [(Australian) ABC: Overseas adoption unsuitable for tsunami orphans](http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1276240.htm) [Shenzhen News: Aid groups warn against adopting tsunami orphans](http://www.sznews.com/n1/ca1364095.htm) ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/24 "2005-01-07T17:58:58Z")
[Moderator Mode] Gentleposters: Let us all recall that while even in a presentation of facts there can be room for differences of perspective, there is never a reason in **General Questions** to express those differences in an offensive manner. Remove the “personality” (particularly in the form of animosity) from your responses or remove yourselves to **GD** or the **Pit**. Thank you [/Moderator Mode] ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/25 "2005-01-08T01:17:16Z")
-deep breath- \*\*elbows and dangerosa[/b[, my apologies. Indonesia may have ongoing restrictions, I do not know. I can tell you for a fact that I have friends who adopted a Thai child a few years ago, so clearly Thailand does and did indeed have an international adoption program firmly in place. Let’s just just say " Indonesia and Asia" as though that covers the Sub-Asian countries. And, **dangerosa** , you are so very right. Many folks who find out I adopted say to me " oooooh, what a generous selfless thing to do". C’mon. It’s selfish, I needed those kids. Still do 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/26 "2005-01-08T05:58:52Z")
My apologies also offered to anyone I offended and to the mods, I did not intend to cross a line. I am sorry, I promise to behave better in the future. Thank you for your gentle reminder. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/27 "2005-01-08T13:24:05Z")
::note to self- always check coding with Preview when upset:: I heard an American woman on CNN basically expressing the OP. They then did a story that covered a lot of our ground here. First, find parents. Then relatives. Then family friends. Then, lacking those, find housing in orphanages for the children. Child psychologists, please speak up= at what age is a child mature enough to suffer profound after-effects of this kind of loss, and honestly be considered Special Needs as a result? This is not only wholesale loss of human life, but wholesale trauma suffered by the survivors. ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/28 "2005-01-08T13:27:17Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Many folks who find out I adopted say to me " oooooh, what a generous selfless thing to do". C’mon. It’s selfish, I needed those kids. Still do 🙂 We get the same thing. We have much the same reply: “We adopted them because we love kids. It’s nice it worked out well for them, too, but that’s not why we did it.” ---
**Author:** ![Shrinking\_Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Shrinking\_Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shrinking_Violet)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/29 "2005-01-08T13:31:20Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > First, find parents. Then relatives. Then family friends. Then, lacking those, find housing in orphanages for the children. Another point to consider, which I heard mentioned on the Beeb … there will be many parents who lost their children in the disaster, who may want to adopt local orphans … this would be considered \*before \* the orphanage option. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/30 "2005-01-08T13:39:45Z")
Or not have lost children. I heard a story on CNN where a Dr. was interviewed.He and his family are okay physically. They found a child on the roof of their house. They are keeping the child, and he said ( paraphrasing of course ) "yes, now this child is mine too ". Inter-cultural adoption opposed to intra-cultural adoption is a topic for another thread, I don’t mean to hijack too much. Just wanted to share the tale I heard on CNN yesterday in support of your post. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/31 "2005-01-08T18:09:06Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Well Carnac, > > I do not have any illusions of ‘tropical paradises’ and I understand that there is grinding poverty. The west seems to believe that material poverty is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. I would disagree. Being robbed of your own culture, a culture who’s warm embrace you have always felt, in the name of material wealth would be one of them. > > The whole idea just creeps me out. It bespeaks an arrogance that western culture has greater value than any other. And that material wealth is the cure for everything. > > I am 100% in favour of a ban that would stop these children being removed from their own countries. I can’t speak for other Americans, but I do believe that millions of Americans (and Canadians) are culturally sensitive, clearly understand that the west has many complex societal problems, and reject the notion of “robb[ing a child of its] culture.” Nor do we believe that materialism is a panacea for a parentless, homeless child, as is implicit in earlier posts. Dealing in stereotypes and universal “truths” gets us nowhere. Moreover, expressing COMPLETE support in these government officials banning ALL children from being removed from ALL tsunami-afflicted lands–regardless of ALL circumstances–seems extreme. The Indonesian, Thai and Sri Lankan governments may choose to embrace this hardline position, but it’s difficult to believe these governments can deliver the BEST long-term care and provide the BEST future for ALL children in EVERY country. As a nod to Tomndebb, I won’t debate the issue. Not here. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/32 "2005-01-08T18:14:27Z")
A last point of FACT: the persistent and pervasive sexual exploitation and trafficking of SE Asian children adds to the growing concern of westerners hoping to adopt. Prior to the tsunami, these governments that today are so vocal in their opposition to adoption did precious little to curtail this abhorent practice. Elbows, have a great weekend. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267/33 "2005-01-08T21:50:14Z")
Thanks Carnac, same to you 🙂 But I would also point out that the sexual exploitation of Asian children, while it occurs in Asia, is almost entirely to support the cravings of foreign tourists. Try as they might, the Asians are not in a position to entirely stop this, trying hard though they are. What are western governments doing to stop it? It’s their citizens who this industry caters to yet they seem too content to leave the solution to ill prepared third world countries. They are willing to decry it but do nothing to stop their countrymen from seeking it out. It seems harsh to expect third world countries to find a solution alone. I believe only when the west can curtail these practises in their own countries can they stand in judgement of others. I don’t know of any country that can guarantee, the Best long term care, the Best future for All children in Every country. Best is a pretty subjective, kind of depends on what you value. Material wealth only? Surely not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsunami-orphans-how-to-adopt/283267.md?page=1)