[Jeanniebee]

Hello-

Does anyone have any information on the photolisting process to select a child to adopt?

Is this legal? Do agencies use bait and switch tactics to lure you in with a photo, get the non-refundable deposit, and then tell you that child is no longer available?

Or is this a legitimate way to adopt a specific child? Do legitimate agencies use photolistings. If so could you PM me those names?

These are not waiting little ones with health issues; these are healthy (seemingly) infants.

Any information would be helpful. Thanks!

[ddhuab]

I believe I have learned from my tentative research that

1) photolistings are often problematic because of a. unethical bait and switch tactics by unscrupulous agencies or b. the highly problematic, impracticality of photolisting in which SEVERAL people might try to "reserve" child X, when they may not have even started the adoption process.

2) also because of both possible reasons above, I think most people/countries have come to view the photo-listing idea as unethical for most healthy children because it *could* be viewed as promoting racism and/or the concept of these children as marketable objects ("buying a baby") rather than complex human beings (remember, we are not --buying-- children through adoption; rather we are paying for a complex service that involves advertising, counseling, and professional experience regarding legal paperwork, etc.).

3) Finally, I believe there are long enough waiting lists for almost EVERY country that does international adoption that it would be impractical and unnecessary for these agencies to devote the time it would take to do internet photolisitings in a functional way.

On the other hand, I DO wish agencies, etc. would list more pictures of ADOPTED children and their families, not only to give ideas about the looks of children from certain cultures (which I think could be helpful for some folks in the beginning of the process), but mainly to help people feel positive about the fact that they, too, might one day become a FAMILY, instead of just a single person or a couple.

I think that the STATE programs use photolistings, but they aren't available to everyone on the internet - just potential matches for foster or adoptive parents, and these are "hard-copy"). I'm sure there are exceptions, but I've read that the waiting children that are available on the internet are just the tip of the iceberg, I believe, and are generally children that are especially hard to place.

Just my thoughts,
D.

[DPline]

Just to present the other side, our agency lists both children they have placed, as well as children they have available (when the country allows.) We found both of our children on our agency's photolisting . I know that while we were reviewing our son's medical records before making a decision, several other people inquired about him after seeing his photo. So, when we accepted his referral, there may have been someone disappointed his was no longer available. The agency now changes their picture on their website to say that they are "on hold" when their medicals are being reviewed.

I am sure there are plenty of unethical agencys who use photos inappropriately and there are many countries that don't allow them, but it can be ok. I guess you really need to do your homework and be sure about the agency before you commit. If you want the name of our agency, please feel free to pm me and I can give you more information.

Good luck!

Debbie