What are your thoughts on child photolistings? Some provinces, states, countries, and agencies provide public photolistings of children available for adoption. Statistically, these increase the chances of not only these children being adopted, but other waiting children as well as more people inquire about adoption in general. However, the photolistings are controversial as some feel that they exploit children and put their personal information on display. So, what are your thoughts?
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I am all for them, especially since a photo listing was what lead me to my daughter. I saw her sweet face 10 months ago and that first image has never left my heart. I am in the midst of adopting her now and can hardly wait to get over there and meet her face to face.
I think photo listings are a wonderful way to bring awareness to the orphan crisis as they allow people to see who these children are, who so desperately need families to call their own. Its one thing to read statistics, but its quite another when you see the little people who make those stats up.
Thanks for sharing your story Candice!
I see both sides. I think many people don’t know just how big the need is for foster/adoptive families, and sites such as http://www.adoptuskids.org do help increase awareness. People respond to actual names and faces.
However, the similarity between listings for children and listings for say….dogs and cats….bothers me. How will a child feel later in life when he or she learns that a picture and personal information were available for all to see? Those profiles often include indicators that the child was abused or neglected as well as descriptions of medical conditions and/or learning disabilities. That information will forever be accessible on the Web….forever violating a child’s right to privacy.
I’m not saying that waiting child photolistings are completely wrong, but I do think they need to follow extremely careful and regulated guidelines. We should also consider alternative ways to effectively bring attention to children in need without violating their privacy.