[nickchris]

Thanks!! :-) I will add it to my list, since I seem to be coming across quite a few folks who are curious about adoption. In general, the Blacks that I know, do not feel the high fees, for quite a few reason. Even the ones with money, that I know do not give up all that cash.
It's not a easy topic to discuss, and really its not about raising fees, but its is necesary IMO since when is anything to do with racism easy or nice? Based on our history, the positive spin is the possibility of change.

[rraiford]

I am also concerned about the high costs of adoption. I wish more agencies would use a sliding scale based on income of prospective adoptive parents versus having different fees based on the race of the infant. My strong feelings against having different fees based on the infant's race do not come from a desire to be negative, argumentative or imaginary racism. My feelings stem from my conversations with professionals in the domestic adoption fields who are also dismayed by the infant's race being used as a factor in setting these fees. There is nothing I want more than for children to find forever families. I am aware of how much harder it is for African American children to be adopted and I know money is always a factor. I believe agencies should use methods other than discounting Black and biracial babies to find families. Disagree with me based on your own feelings, research, and knowledge ( I cna perfetly understand that) but I do find it belittling to disagree with my opinion because you feel I am imagining a racial issue.

[nickchris]

Teendoc interesting you bought that up, lol i had an near experience regarding classism myself this week-end, still laughing about it.

Originally Posted by teendoc

Ah the insult and classism/education attack strategy! Way to add to the discussion.

[teendoc]

Oh you must share it! Perhaps off the boards.

I have found that when majority people want to disagree with me, they use the race card as the differentiator. When my own people want to disagree, they throw the class/education card. The goal, as you know, is to disarm and distract from a generally thin argument. I'm not going there.

Originally Posted by nickchris

Teendoc interesting you bought that up, lol i had an near experience regarding classism myself this week-end, still laughing about it.

[nickchris]

I will.. lol give me some time to type it up.

[Asha0314]

Hi,
I am a single AA who recently finalized an AA infant adoption. In my area, across the board, agencies charged half as much for an AA or biracial infant as for a healty Caucasian. One agency worked exclusively with AA and biracial and charged the same as the other agencies--about half the cost of the other agencies fees for Caucasian infants. The agencies explained the reason being that Caucasian infants being harder to adopt (not as many available) and there being more AA and biracial infants available. I also believe this is why nowadays, more Caucasian couples are adopting AA and biracial infants--because, in short, they are more accessible, less expensive than Caucasian infants. I am also happy that the fees for AA infants are lower, otherwise it would have been out of my budget. In general, adoption costs way too much and even with the lower fees, most AA couples/singles cannot afford to adopt AA infants. This is very unfortunate. I feel so very blessed to have had the privilege.

[nickchris]

A lot of info out there and its hard to decipher, until a good research and getting first hand info is done. An agency told me that too, which adds the promiscuity aspect to a black expectant mother. I was told, (and experienced) that more black mothers actually change their mind and parent. In general there are more folks out there who want cc babies, and not black babies, so the main demand is greater than the supply.
I have also come across many varied range middle class AA who do adopt both foster, and private.

[bromanchik]

Originally Posted by adoptionislove1

The average American, no matter what their race, is not able to afford spending $20,000 or more and then care for the child once they get it home.

That's what sliding scales are for.

[rishnj]

Fe2002,

Would you PM me as well on info regarding your agency. I too am a single AA woman who works in the public schools, creating limitations to income (no employer matching or yearly bonuses, etc). These fees are really difficult to manage and then have to plan, financially, for the care of my child. Thanks.