Canadians are wrestling with the question of whether or not photos should be included when listing children available for adoption. A recent report released by the Centre for Leadership and Community Learning didn't make a recommendation one way or the other, but identified the pros and cons as seen by respondents in focus groups and online surveys.
The majority opinion of those participating in the focus groups made up of professionals, parents and caregivers favored photo listing, although they felt there should be certain restrictions. They feel that the increased visibility of the child would help with placing hard to place kids, that it starts the bonding earlier and can have a spillover effect by increasing interest in those who aren't listed with a photo. They also say the photos reduce waiting time for the children to find homes and broadens the definition of adoptable kids.
Those who responded to an online survey on the subject were mostly opposed to photo listings. Comparing it to the trafficking of children, opponents identified several possible downsides to showing the faces of these children. They expressed concern about children's' privacy and the potential for prospective adoptive parents to choose a child based on appearance. They also cite the possibility of the child being identified by someone who may be dangerous to them, birth parents feeling their child is being marketed, and the children themselves suffering psychologically should they not be chosen. They claim there is no evidence that photo listing increases placement or shortens wait time. Finally, they fear prospective parents making emotional choices they don't fully comprehend based on the photos.
It's a complex and serious topic worthy of discussion, I think. Both sides make good points and hopefully this dialog will ultimately result in more children finding homes. As one respondent put it, "As we debate policies, children continue to have no families!"
Should adoption listings include photos?
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Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. My kids were deeply relieved to learn that their faces were never pictured on an adoption website and horrified to discover that they could have been and that other children are.
They think it is wrong to do that to a kid and they think the government is a terrible parent for doing it without the children's permission.
No ifs and or buts.
They are 8 and 11.
Posted at 10:22AM on May 7th 2007 by gawdess
3. The fact is that people connect with the pictures. I know of two people that saw a traveling photography show of children that needed homes. The connection they made with those photos led them both to become adoptive parents.
Posted at 7:51PM on May 7th 2007 by Karen
4. "They think it is wrong to do that to a kid and they think the government is a terrible parent for doing it without the children's permission."
I did contact the SW of the kids that broke my heart. And for those ones, the kids did agree to be photolisted. And their SW were very nice people.
I'm sorry, but I do think that it depends. And onje of the SW was saying that for each child photolisted, there are so many not listed who are waiting. Unless there is a tangible and visible plea for help people like me who have no reason to adopt wont even see the tip of the iceberg. And as we all know, kids on the photolisting are desperate for parents. They are not the kids who are matched as soon as they need a family (ie healthy infants).
Now is this ok to market them? no. But there is definitly a need to find parents, to find people who could adopt, if only there were thinking about the concept (like me to name a family)
If you have any better idea, please share it with your state. States are desperate to place the kids in good families forever.
Posted at 2:07AM on May 8th 2007 by Sophie.
1. I do have an opinion on that question.
during one of my first nights surfing about adoption - before I even consider that option for our family, I ended up on the photolisting of our state.
there are 3 photos that just broke my heart - I know I came back to those 3 photos over and over in the next days - and then we decided to adopt, because adoption was not the "baby for people who cannot have one" - but it was REAL kids waiting, and waiting, and hoping, and praying for a "forever family".
We did not adopt a foster kid, because we do not meet the state criterias, but we still got extremely blessed with a kid whom we got custody in the 24h of uncertainty before he would go indeed to foster (cps and social papers were already on their way).
I dreamed of one kid from the photolisting, we couldnt apply, and we still got one by a twist of fate. What a miracle!
as for the photolisting itself, I'd like a login to see it. SS# + valid email address or anything like that would be great - and just either blur the photo or whatever for unlogged listing. I didnt look at them in the wrong way, only in a loving mom way. But who knows what sick people could do with those photos?
Posted at 5:45PM on May 6th 2007 by Sophie.