In Washington, D.C., lawmakers are celebrating their last-minute decision to retain the adoption tax credit, presenting it as a sign of their commitment to families. They claim this tax incentive helps keep children out of foster care and enables loving families to adopt. However, I find this perspective deeply troubling.
The adoption tax credit is not fulfilling its intended purpose, and our legislators are failing to implement meaningful measures that would effectively reduce the number of children in foster care and place them in stable, loving homes. Established as a bipartisan initiative to promote adoption from the foster care system, the reality is that it has not addressed the root causes of the issue.
Take Ohio, for instance, where 453 children, including sibling groups, are waiting for adoption. Nationwide, this number swells to 100,000. Yet, we are often presented with the misleading statistic that for every child available for adoption, there are 36 couples eager to adopt. This indicates a significant disconnect. Instead of facilitating adoptions from foster care, the tax credit primarily alleviates the high costs associated with adopting infants—often running into tens of thousands of dollars—while many older children languish in the system. Families may wait years to adopt a newborn, while countless children in foster care are overlooked.
While the adoption tax credit does offer some assistance to families adopting from foster care, it is insufficient. The support systems necessary for these families to thrive are grossly lacking. Social and emotional resources are crucial for the success of families that adopt older children, and unfortunately, these resources are nearly nonexistent.
Moreover, there are no tax incentives for pregnant individuals facing the difficult choice of whether to abort, parent, or place a child for adoption. Those in such circumstances often find themselves with limited options, compounded by societal judgment and inadequate resources. As the founder of a pro-choice agency dedicated to adoption, I believe it is vital to empower pregnant individuals with comprehensive information about all possible choices—whether that means adoption, abortion, or parenting—so they can make the decision that brings them peace.
It is even more concerning that in the same legislative discussions, lawmakers proposed cuts to the minimal funding that could help children already in the system find adoptive homes, while simultaneously suggesting financial benefits for unborn children. This stark contrast highlights a troubling prioritization: while they neglect those children who already need support, they seek to extend privileges to fetuses.
These proposed cuts are not about the welfare of American families, women, or children. They reflect a desire to push certain agendas. The preservation of the adoption tax credit merely underscores the preference for unborn children over those already living and struggling.
While discussions about the adoption credit continue in Washington, real progress remains elusive. Lawmakers have done little to restore vital social support programs that have been systematically dismantled, leaving pregnant individuals without essential resources. There is a lack of investment in parenting foundations, affordable childcare, and opportunities for upward mobility for those considering adoption. Furthermore, the accessibility of abortion services has been severely compromised.
Even as the founder of an adoption agency motivated by my own adoption experience and a strong advocate for open adoption, I cannot endorse the recent legislative actions surrounding the adoption credit. If we genuinely wish to prevent more children from entering the foster care system and care for all children, we must advocate for increased financial support for low-income families, enhance living conditions for those contemplating adoption, and defend women’s reproductive rights.
The federal adoption tax credit, while necessary, is just a small part of the comprehensive emotional, financial, and social support that at-risk pregnant individuals require. Until we establish a robust support network, we must persistently demand better for pregnant women and the families that seek to adopt.
For more insights into related topics, consider exploring this resource, and if you’re interested in understanding more about the journey of artificial insemination, visit this page, which provides valuable information. You can also refer to Wikipedia for a comprehensive overview of artificial insemination.
In summary, the adoption tax credit, while a necessary tool, is far from sufficient in addressing the complex needs of families and children within the foster care system. Lawmakers must prioritize comprehensive support for pregnant individuals and families to create a more effective and compassionate system.