Child Welfare System

Main purpuse is to protect children against neglect and abuse.  Purposes are also to promote health, safety, and development (mental and physical well being)  Children grow, learn, develop lifetime skills within the context of parent-child relationships, family context and social enviroment. Family plays a role in how structural and developmental aspects are shaped.  Some cultural practices can be mistaken for " CHILD ABUSE" One has to have knowledge of cross cultural relationships in order to identify these types of mistakes; some cultures have early child marriage, folk remedies, and corporal punishment which might be seen as neglect. Please have in mind that there is no universal standard for child rearing. Some cultural based issues such as poverty, immigration status, and discrimination can lead to parental stress and creates risk factors for abuse. Furthermore, Ethnic/Racial disparities in child welfare system are overepresented. There are more children in out of home care (African Americans, Hispanic, Native Americans) than caucasians.  Families are less likely to recieve quality health care, mental health services and community based practice. 

"All children deserve equal social services;  that is educational and developmental. These services should not be based on cultural bakground, ethnicity or family economic status"  Arianna Leon

China Adoption

China currently has more waiting adoptive parents than children available thus adoption in China is not as easy as before. Here are a few reminders of the requirements:

1. Future adoptive parents  need to have been married for at least 2 years. And  marriage should only be between one man and one woman. If any of the parents have been divorced, they must be married for at least 5 years.


2. Prospective parents must be between ages 30 and 50 but there could be an exception for special needs children allowing people of 55 years of age to adopt.

3. Future adoptive parents have to be physically and mentally fit and cannot have AIDS,  infections diseases, mental disability, or  blindness in one or both eyes.
Don't let these rules discourage you, if you are patient and have a strong will to adopt from China the process wont be easy but its possible. Keep your hopes up and fight for your dreams!

Arianna Leon

Cultural Awareness

  In today's world, culture plays an important role in society. In order to help those in need we first need to understand about their values and beliefs. Imposing one's culture into others is complicated since in the process confrontation and mis-trust occurs. Every culture and race should be valued since they have offered great contributions to society. We have all been exposed to a culture that is different from ours, it is OK to disagree with others as long as we show respect and we watch our tone of voice while communicating. It is  also important to consider that what is ok for one person might wrong for another; for example when traveling to Paris, you might receive 2,3 or 4 kisses in the cheeks depending on what region you visit. For many Americans this would be an awkward situation but we have to understand that when visiting other countries one must have a sense of respect towards the new exposed culture. In other words the kisses would represent a welcoming to the country.   As a social worker one must be culturally competent and be open to what others have to say; after all listening is the most important part of communication. To be able to help enhance others lives, one needs to understand their economic situation, gender, norms, values and beliefs.

By: Arianna Leon

Adoption Issues (http://www.childwelfare.gov)

Identity formation: Adopted teenagers may experience identity confusion as they confront the primary questions of adolescence "Who am I? How am I different from my parents? Which of their values will I take as my own?" Young people who joined their families through adoption also must try to determine how these questions relate to their birth parents, who may be unknown and even unknowable. These questions may be further complicated if the child's race or birth culture differs from that of the adoptive family.

School problems: Children adopted from foster care often have experienced multiple placements among homes, as well as multiple moves among schools. An educational consultant or a child psychologist may be able to test for educational status and work with teachers from the child's school to ensure an appropriate education.

Trust and attachment: Children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or institutionalization prior to joining their adoptive families often have not known consistent love and affection and may have difficulty trusting and attaching to their new family.

Medical concerns: Children who have been in multiple placements may not have received regular medical care. These children, as well as children adopted through intercountry adoptions, often have medical information that is inaccurate and/or incomplete. It is important for all children to have as complete and accurate a health history as possible. Assessment by an adoption-competent physician will provide a plan to update a child's health and immunization status.

Do’s and Don'ts

Do's for Adoptive parents

1.Threat your child like any other kid. It may be difficult  and may take a while for adopted children to feel like they belong within their extended families. Treating your child like they are special helps them to feel at home and comfortable with their new environment.

2. Respect your child privacy; Adopted children have the same needs and  the right to privacy as you do. They do not want their entire life story being told to strangers. Discussing the intimate details of your child origins, will make him/her embarrassed.

3. Acknowledge and celebrate your child’s differences. One of the best things you can do to show your support as well as your love for the adopted child in your life is to learn about the culture and history of his/her birth country. 

Don'ts for Adoptive Parents

1. Don't introduce your child as adopted. This can make the child feel inferior, and creates feelings of never being considered part of the family.

2. Don't over say how "lucky" he/she is. After hearing many times, the child can feel like a lifelong charity case rather than the cherished child he/she is. Yes, your child is lucky, but so is any child who has a supportive, loving family.

3. Don't jump to conclusions about the birth mother. Often thought of as weak, irresponsible, cheap, and worthless, birth mothers often suffer a lifetime of pain far greater than that of childbirth. Please don't jump to the wrong conclusion that these women are any different than you or that they love their children less than you do.

Why do parents give up children for adoption?

1. Financial issues are always a big reason.
Some parents feel that without a stable income, they cannot provide their child with the type of life they feel that their child deserves. It can seem overwhelming to suddenly have another person who depends on you not just financially but emotionally. Maybe you already have children and cannot afford raising another one.
2. Some expectant parents feel that their age and inexperience in life would give their child an unfair disadvantage.
While the average age of a relinquishing mother is in her early 20's, some are younger. (And some are older.) The recognition of the need for things like a high school diploma or a college degree to properly provide for a child are reasons of why younger parents might consider placement.
3. A complete lack of support from family members is  another reason some parents consider placement.
While some mothers and fathers are able to continue on with their education after an unplanned pregnancy, it is usually due to the help of immediate family members. If  parents have thrown you out of the house it may seem very scary to make an attempt at parenting with no help. In many instances mothers give children up for adoption because the father has left the house and they feel that they are alone and cannot raise a child on their own.


Have in mind that there are many services out there that can help single mothers as well as parents with low income to raise a happy child. If you already have decided on giving your child for adoption be sure to take him/her to a well suited agency or foster home. These agencies will find a healthy and loving family for your child and will make sure that he/she is safe.