[NancyAshe]

If you are like me and follow adoption and foster care news daily, you have probably noticed the increasing number of negative adoption and foster care stories. It is disheartening to read some of these stories, as we sit and wonder what these parents are thinking and what may become of these children, atleast those who survive.

Here are just a few of the stories in the news this week:

Officials Call For Tougher Foreign Adoption
Teen Testifies Foster Parents Beat Him So Hard He Bled
Mom Injected Child with Feces
Mother Sues Baltimore over Tot's Brain Damage
Woman Charged after Baby Born Intoxicated

As biological, foster, or adoptive parents, what are your thoughts on these types of stories? How do they affect you personally, if at all? Do these negative stories affect how you feel about adoption or foster care?

[Iyoba]

As one who is interested in becoming an adoptive parent, I think my major concern is the fact that these articles paint a bad picture for those considering adoption and foster parenting.

First of all, as an adoptive parent, reading stories like this, I would be concerned as to what kind of trauma the child I am adopting has been through, if I would be able to handle the outcome, etc.

Second of all, if I were adopting from the foster care system, I would be a little freaked out by what I've been reading in the news regarding sexual abuse, children being locked in cages, etc.

I guess as always, it's usually about getting a good story, one that will shock, repulse, or get the greatest response from people, right? I guess this should be expected, but the fact that these stories aren't made up actually kinda scares me. I feel bad for the children being put through this, especially those who aren't lucky enough to get through it all.