Would You Adopt a Baby Off Facebook?

on March 13, 2009 at 11:13 AM

Adopting a baby can be stressful, expensive, and it can sometimes take years. Of course, it's all worth it in the end when you're holding your son or daughter in your arms. There are all sorts of traditional ways to adopt—start out as a foster parent, hire an adoption attorney, go through a private adoption agency. And now, modern couples are turning to social networking like Facebook and MySpace to connect with a birth mother and find a child.

Going online is cheaper, faster, and reaches a wider audience than print advertisements and word of mouth, they say. Some couples even upload YouTube videos featuring their photos, home tours and interviews; others write blogs and create Web sites to give birth mothers a glimpse of their adoption journey.

In an interview with CNN, Jeff Siler, who owns ParentGallery, a free site where couples who want to adopt can post pictures and videos, said, "Today's teens and young adults looking for adoptive parents are more tech savvy than before. Even before [they] talk to an adoption agency, they may already be trying to Google for an answer online."

Many private adoption agencies are also encouraging their clients to create YouTube videos. Doing just that worked for Jeremy and Christy Nueman. The Nuemans wanted to adopt a baby after a five-year struggle with infertility so they created a short YouTube video. A pregnant college student watched it and picked them to become the adoptive parents of her baby boy out of the hundreds of profiles she viewed online and through adoption agencies. "It's so hard when you are just reading a letter to figure out what these people are like."

Of course, you've got to be careful when going online as there is the potential for scams—but there are also some very happy endings.

What do you think? Would you adopt a baby off the Internet? Would you choose an adoptive family off the Internet?

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: adoption

Comments (22)

mommyheymommy

on Mar 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM

I think that internet networking is a fine way to be matched with a potential birth mom. I have used waiting child photolistings online to accomplish our international adoptions.

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.Beth.

on Mar 13, 2009 at 11:38 AM

I think this is a great idea! I have much respect for those who adopt children..I myself was adopted..so i know the importance this is to a child.

Its sad that there are so many children in either foster care or adoption houses..and its awesome that they are comming up with new ways to get all these kids families!

Lindalu2

on Mar 13, 2009 at 11:43 AM

That's interesting. But what about the Legal aspects? I hope there are adoption attorneys involved,to make sure everything is legal and everyone is protected from fraud and breach of contract,etc. That's why I would be more inclined to go through a nationally known respectable adoption agency. This Facebook thing seems a bit too...trendy. Just my opinion.

myltllinebacker

on Mar 13, 2009 at 12:00 PM

I networked on-line and that is how we adopted our son! I would definately do it again.

ilovemyson2002

on Mar 13, 2009 at 12:10 PM

i would love to adopt as longs as it true and lies and scams

pjacademy

on Mar 13, 2009 at 12:15 PM

I would be concerned with scams. We adopted Iinternational) with an agency I like that they had the legal aspect and our backs so to speak!

I would be concerned they just needed some extra cash and then never see her or the child!

mexicanbeauty

on Mar 13, 2009 at 12:32 PM

I MYSELF WAS ADOPTED AS WELL,SO I THINK EVERY CHILD DESERVE TO HAVE A HOME, A REAL HOME NOT FOSTER HOMES OR WORST,SO I HAD THE BETTER ADOPTIVE PARENTS IN THE WORLD,THEY MADE MY CHILDHOOD THE BEST EVER,I AM HAPPY THAT TROUGH INTERNET CHILDREN CAN FIND LOVE,SOME PEOPLE ARE DYING TO HAVE A CHILD TO LOVE,I HAVE SOME MUCH RESPECT FOR THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!! happy

palexander

on Mar 13, 2009 at 12:39 PM

Every child deserves a home but I think using the internet and letting parents "window shop" is a bad idea.

Lanasmom

If i knew it was all legit and legal and all--sure i would.

KateKevinAdopt

on Mar 13, 2009 at 12:46 PM

We are currently in the process of trying to adopt by advertising and networking over the internet. We have a completed homestudy, as many adoption profile listings require that you have one in order to list with them. We also have an adoption attorney. We decided to try to adopt this way for a couple of reasons....I am a stay-at-home mom and a former administrative assistant, and am very web-savvy. I created a website, profile, flyers, and business cards in a simlar theme and have sent them to basically everyone we have ever met. I also receive postings from a listserv that reports current and known adoption scams, and I routinely check IP addresses of people who contact me to rule out obvious scams from places like Cameroon. I have advertised extensively online for the past 6 months using most of the adoption profile sites (NY couples are not able to use Parent Profiles, unfortunately, and they are the biggest.) as well as paid ads on Google, Facebook, and Yahoo. We have had over 2000 hits to our website, and direct contact with about 15 women who considering an adoption plan for their baby.I have a hard time believing that an agency would have shown our profile to 15 potential birthmoms in 6 months. I am the kind of person who would rather just use the skills I have and do the networking and screening myself. I am also available to talk with the women who call our 800 number, and I'm a pretty nice person to talk to. :) Wish us luck!