Why China?

Each year in China, thousands (perhaps even millions) of children are abandoned.  Thousands of these children are eventually adopted by families around the world each year!  These children are mainly girls. The main reasons for this include:

• Couples are allowed to have only one child by law, and
• Boys are culturally preferred over girls, as boys are thought to be better able to provide for parents as the parents grow older.  The comparison has been made that sons caring for their parents is China’s “Social Security” system.

The result is that there are tens of thousands of girls who need a good, loving home.  In addition to children being available for adoption and needing homes,

• Many American couples need a child.
• Chinese adoptions do not disrupt as the children are truly abandoned before they are ever eligible for adoption.
• Older couples can adopt. Couples must be between the ages of 30 - 50.
• China has no residency requirement, unlike some countries.
• The final adoption occurs in China.
• The Chinese adoption process is one of the most well-established and predictable international adoption programs.
• The trip to pick up your child is about 2 weeks long.
• Boys and girls are both available, though typically boys are in our Waiting Child program.

Please note: Since we are dealing with a foreign country, processing times and other factors can change rapidly. Please review our country sheet or contact an AHH staff member for the most current information.

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