Advertising Human Beings “Available” for Adoption: A Dangerous Practice that Must Stop

“It is always with the best intentions that the worst work is done.” Oscar Wilde

How many of you remember TV and print media posting a regular column called “Wednesday Child” which featured one or more foster children in need of a permanent family?

Much to my horror, I found this still occurs in places like Colorado, which regularly posts photos and the first name of children “available” for adoption.

I refuse to republish any of the exploitive photos, and even providing a link to the outrageous “ads” would do the same. You will thus need to google “Havasunews Adoption Spotlight Leah” to see the latest example of what I am outraged about. This is a link to the publication.

Here is an open letter to the editor of this publication and all others who engage in this dangerous practice:

I am an author and activist who has been researching child adoption practice since 1980.

Displaying photolistings of children in need of homes is exploitive, inhumane, demeaning, dehumanizing and as reprehensible as were slave auctions. It commodifies them.

Most importantly it is very dangerous for these children.

Making children’s names and images available to the public may seem like a good idea to help her find a safe, loving, caring family who might adopt her. But please consider the risks.

For one, you risk these children be devastated if the ad gets no positive response, bringing home a clear message that they are unwanted. That in itself is cruel, humiliating, and too great a risk to take.

Secondly, school age children — as many are — advertised online in this way can far too easily be recognized by school mates resulting in tormenting bullying.

Of far greater concern is the fact these listings are an open invitation to pedophiles and child traffickers, putting a target on these children by making them appear desperate for a home, seemingly unwanted.

The number of children trafficked for deviance is astounding. The State Department estimates that between 15,000 and 50,000 women and girls are trafficked each year into the United States.

You might think that it would be safe because adoption agencies would screen potential adopters. Not so. Adoption agencies, eager to place older children and children with other special needs, fail to screen out all predators, as in the recent headline-making case of William Dale Zulock and Zachary Jacoby Zulock charged with raping their two adopted children. There is also the case of Mahsa Allen who was adopted from Russia through a “reputable” agency to a man who had abused his own child and who no room or bed for her, other than his own. She also had illicit photos of her distributed to pedophiles by her adopter.

Adding to the problem is that “special needs” adoptions come with subsidies which also attract foster parents and adopters who see it as an easy income, often taking in many children at a time. Good people willing to care for children with medical or emotional needs are needed and they should be compensated for doing so, but for the safety and protection of the children, reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical and other necessary expenses should be made upon presentation of valid proof of payment.

I beseech all media to voluntarily end this inhumane and dehumanizing and very dangerous practice of advertising innocent children until it is made illegal to do so, and I implore lawmakers to protect vulnerable children by passing legislation to end the practice.

Mirah Riben, activist and author

“Hell isn’t merely paved with good intentions; it’s walled and roofed with them. Yes, and furnished too.” Aldous Huxley