Attitude toward adoption is changing in China
Hu Yi Jie, otherwise known as Fred, often visited me in my apartment in China. One time, he brought his four year-old son, a well-mannered child who sat down and carefully looked at one of my books. Fred beamed with pride and told me his son learned very quickly. Then, Fred sighed. "My wife and I wish we had a daughter, too." He sighed again. "Daughters are different than sons; I miss a daugher, though I have such a good son."
Why not adopt a girl?" I asked.
"My wife and I have discussed this. It is very difficult for Chinese. It is easier for Americans to adopt a Chinese baby than a Chinese."
I was shocked. I knew I had privileges in China based on my passport, but I didn't realize it extended to adoption.
Fred went on to explain, "The government thinks if it is not difficult for Chinese to adopt, many people will be encouraged to have more children to get a boy." I waited for him to continue; this kind of logic needed a good deal more explanation.
When he said no more, I complained, "That doesn't make sense."
He nodded agreement. "But this is why it is difficult for Chinese to adopt. Also, the parents of my wife and I do not want us to adopt a girl. Chinese people say if the child is not your child, the child will never take care of you. So Chinese do not adopt someone else's child."
The above is an excerpt from my book, I Ran Away to China. Today, I read an article from msnbc news that states this attitude is changing due to new prosperity. I've linked it below.
Chinese eager to adopt quake orphans
Why not adopt a girl?" I asked.
"My wife and I have discussed this. It is very difficult for Chinese. It is easier for Americans to adopt a Chinese baby than a Chinese."
I was shocked. I knew I had privileges in China based on my passport, but I didn't realize it extended to adoption.
Fred went on to explain, "The government thinks if it is not difficult for Chinese to adopt, many people will be encouraged to have more children to get a boy." I waited for him to continue; this kind of logic needed a good deal more explanation.
When he said no more, I complained, "That doesn't make sense."
He nodded agreement. "But this is why it is difficult for Chinese to adopt. Also, the parents of my wife and I do not want us to adopt a girl. Chinese people say if the child is not your child, the child will never take care of you. So Chinese do not adopt someone else's child."
The above is an excerpt from my book, I Ran Away to China. Today, I read an article from msnbc news that states this attitude is changing due to new prosperity. I've linked it below.
Chinese eager to adopt quake orphans
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