Adopting Japan's Orphans: Natural Disaster Causes Outpouring Of Interest For Adopting Orphaned Child

The devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan has prompted hundreds of calls to Lifetime Adoption Center from families asking about the possibility of welcoming one or more of the orphaned children into their family in the U.S. Similar calls were received just over a year ago, after the earthquake in Haiti that devastated that island nation.

When natural disasters of this magnitude occur, adoptions in process are typically one of the last governmental services to restart. Families who were hoping to complete Haitian adoptions in 2010 are still waiting to see what the future may hold.

The situation in Japan is quite different. Japan is not currently seeing many international adoptions of the country’s children. According to the U.S. Department of State, there were only 32 adoptions by U.S. families in 2010 and 41 in 2009. This indicates that the infrastructure likely doesn’t currently exist for greater international adoption, nor is the need normally as great as in other Asian countries such as China. While many of the pictures shown in the media may seem heart-wrenching, the reality is that any children truly orphaned by the earthquake and tsunami will likely find new families in their home country.

However, this does not mean that the need for families to adopt is lessened. Caldwell’s newest book, Called To Adoption, is geared toward Christian families who are feeling God’s prompting to consider adoption, be it international, domestic, or through foster care.

“While the need to adopt internationally is great, there are also opportunities to adopt newborns and toddlers of all races here at home,” says Mardie Caldwell C.O.A.P., founder of Lifetime Adoption Center. “International orphans need to be adopted and cared for, but many families proceed internationally because they are unaware of their options here in the U.S.”

Lifetime Adoption offers a number of programs, including the popular African American Enrichment Program to assist families seeking to adopt children domestically. “There is a real surge for orphan care right now, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of caring for the children in need of loving parents in our own country,” says Caldwell.

Caldwell reports that many families who adopt internationally are simply not prepared for the issues that children raised in orphanages face. “Because of the lack of bonding, discipline, accurate medical records, and social interaction, children adopted internationally often have needs that exceed what adoptive families are prepared for. At Lifetime Adoption, we are get calls weekly by parents seeking options for these children, including some requests for our help in finding a new family, known as a readopt. It is a difficult situation for all involved, especially the child.”

For families who have been moved by the news in Japan to consider adoption, Caldwell recommends that they examine their feelings. “If you truly feel God moving you to consider adoption, learn more about adopting. The need is great.”

To learn more about Caldwell’s new book, visit www.CalledToAdoption.com.