Someone was complaining to me that the Korean adoption process is too difficult and too long. Why, this person demanded, can’t they make it easier?

So, I started thinking about what you had to do in a Korean adoption…

1. Find an agency
2. Preliminary Application
3. Full Application
a. Doctor’s visit
b. Biographies
c. Reference Letters
d. Financials
4. Homestudy
5. Government Paperwork
6. More Government Paperwork
7. Waiting

There were times during the process that I also wondered why the Korean adoption process couldn’t be a little easier. However, looking at it from a different point of view, why should it be easy? Why shouldn’t the parents have to go through a process that is partially designed to make sure that the “not-so-sure” prospective parents are weeded out before the referral takes place?

For the “very-sure” prospective parents, it does seem a little arduous and, at times, frustrating, but shouldn’t we also look at the larger picture. First, compared to some of the other international adoption countries, Korea isn’t that difficult. Second, isn’t our responsibility to also consider the other children (not just the one(s) that will be placed in our homes). Do we want a system that makes it so easy for people to adopt children that they don’t have to consider all of the consequences and potential problems?

Awhile back, I talked with a woman who was interested in adopting from Korea. She had started the conversation by telling me that they were considering Korean adoption because it might be easier than domestic adoption. That didn’t bother me as much as the rest of the conversation. She proceeded to complement me on how well I spoke English (after I told her I was adopted at six months) and that she was surprised that I didn’t have an accent. Sigh. I remember hanging up the phone and thinking that I hoped that someone at her adoption agency would gently lead her in a different direction.

So, in a longwinded response to a fairly simple question, I really don’t think that Korean adoption should be easy. I know that the paperwork can seem endless and that the waiting seems like several lifetimes. When I went through the process, I spent many nights staring at forms with little fonts and wondering if it was really necessary. During the period between our referral and the travel call, I thought time had stood still. Perhaps the question shouldn't be "Why isn't Korean adoption easier?", but "Is it worth the wait?"

If you would like to comment, but not on this site, please e-mail me at adoptkoreablog@adoptionmail.com.