NCJ Number
47319
Date Published
1978
Length
221 pages
Annotation
THE ROLES OF BROKERS, PARENTS, AGENCIES, AND COURTS IN BLACK-MARKET ADOPTION ARE ANALYZED, AND APPROACHES TO THE BABYSELLING PROBLEM ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
THE COMBINATION OF LEGALIZED ABORTION, CHANGING ATTITUDES TOWARD UNWED MOTHERS KEEPING THEIR BABIES, AND BETTER METHODS OF BIRTH CONTROL HAS SEVERELY LIMITED THE SUPPLY OF ADOPTABLE BABIES. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT EACH YEAR SEVERAL THOUSAND COUPLES PAY BABYSELLERS UP TO $50,000 FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME PARENTS. THESE BLACK-MARKET ADOPTIONS (TRANSACTIONS IN WHICH MONEY, NOT THE CHILD'S WELFARE, IS THE PARAMOUNT FACTOR) ARE ESTIMATED TO COMPRISE AT LEAST ONE-THIRD OF ALL INDEPENDENT (NONAGENCY) ADOPTIONS. THE BOOK DISCUSSES WHY BABYSELLING HAS BECOME COMMONPLACE; WHY BABYSELLERS ARE NOT VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BEING ARRESTED AND CONVICTED; AND WHY THE NATURAL PARENTS, THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS, AND THE BABY ALL STAND TO LOSE IN A BLACK-MARKET ADOPTION. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT MOST BLACK-MARKET ADOPTIONS ARE RIDDLED WITH FRAUD; E.G., MISREPRESENTATION OF THE BABY'S HERIDITARY BACKGROUND OR COERCION OF THE NATURAL MOTHER. IT IS ALSO NOTED THAT BABYSELLERS OFTEN USE INTERSTATE TRANSACTIONS TO CONFOUND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. THE PROPOSAL THAT PRIVATE ADOPTION BE OUTLAWED IS ANALYZED AND FOUND WANTING AS A CURE FOR BLACK-MARKET ADOPTIONS. STRONG FEDERAL LEGISLATION, IMPROVED STATE LAWS, AND GREATER CONCERN AND AWARENESS ON THE PART OF THE COURTS ARE CONCLUDED TO BE THE COMPONENTS OF A MORE USEFUL APPROACH TO ELIMINATING THE PRACTICE OF BABYSELLING. ALTERNATIVES TO BLACK-MARKET TRANSACTIONS ARE CITED FOR PARENTS WHO WISH TO ADOPT. A LIST OF ADOPTION AGENCIES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)