Here's a brief description of the situation in China regarding all those precious abandoned baby girls.
"China is a country whose culture dates back to the earliest records known to man. At first glance, some of China's beliefs may seem quite different from those we hold in the western world.

One example of this is the cultural preference for a male child. There are several reasons why Chinese families might prefer a boy over a girl. In rural provinces, a family's livelihood depends directly on the output of its family members. Because of this, a family with sons would be at a considerable advantage than one with daughters. Historically, it is also the son's honored responsibility to take care of his parents in their old age.

A daughter, however, would be expected to care for her husband's parents rather than her own. In this regard, the Chinese believe that having a son is crucial to their livelihood, as well as a form of social security for the parents when they grow older.

Although in recent years, China has done much to change these belief systems, many families, especially in rural areas, still strongly favor the birth of a male child. This situation is further complicated by China's One- Child Policy, which prohibits families from having more than one child. As a result of this policy, there are thousands of abandoned children throughout China, with the vast majority of them being healthy girls."
General adoption links
New Hope Child and Family Agency–our agency
newhopekids.org

General adoption site
adopting.org

Internet adoption resources
adopting.com

Adoption magazine provides independent, practical information on adopting and raising healthy, happy children.
adoptivefamilies.com

General info on domestic and international adoptions
adoption.com


China adoption links
Families With Children From China
fwcc.org

CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affiars)
china-ccaa.org/english-index.htm

Here's the CCAA's great FAQ
fwcc.org/FAQ.htm

Chinadopt–"probably one of the best sites that has the plain truth about all the questions raised when thinking about this whole subject"
pshrink.com/chinadopt

Some great resources for international adoptions
international.adoption.com

Personal China Adoption Stories
tussah.com/lara/chinasto.htm

A 1998 article explaining the reasons there are so many baby girls in China
night.net/rosie/9802-ics-article.html

CCAA - Here are photos from inside the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs–this is where it all happens once the dossier goes to China; referrals happen in these rooms! Be sure to scroll to the bottom and click 'next page' if your interested in seeing what happens to all those dossiers.
angelcovers.org/ccaa/ccaa1.html

Videos of the China Adoption Process–Here's a site created by a couple who produce adoption videos for families after they have returned from China. It gives an overview of what the China adoption experience is like.
pergamondesign.com/?page=movie


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©2005 Paul H. Goethel & Jeanne M. Juneau