When people inquire as to why we chose China, my first inclination is to say, "Why not China"? When we chose to adopt we looked into several countries, but China just kept coming to the top of our list time and time again. We were impressed by the consistency with which the program is run, China's long standing relationship with U.S. adoption agencies, we are intrigued by the East Asian culture, and we wanted to do something about the situation facing abandoned baby girls in China. The situation is something that we have learned more about through the adoption process. Below is some interesting information about the situation that baby girls in China face, baby boys with minor to several disabilities and some links to additional resources if you are interested.

Situation Facing Girls in China

Here's a brief description of the situation in China regarding all those precious abandoned baby girls. "China is a country whose culture dates back to the earliest records known to man. At first glance, some of China's beliefs may seem quite different from those we hold in the western world.

One example of this is the cultural preference for a male child. There are several reasons why Chinese families might prefer a boy over a girl. In rural provinces, a family's livelihood depends directly on the output of its family members. Because of this, a family with sons would be at a considerable advantage than one with daughters. Historically, it is also the son's honored responsibility to take care of his parents in their old age.

A daughter, however, would be expected to care for her husband's parents rather than her own. In this regard, the Chinese believe that having a son is crucial to their livelihood, as well as a form of social security for the parents when they grow older.

Although in recent years, China has done much to change these belief systems, many families, especially in rural areas, still strongly favor the birth of a male child. This situation is further complicated by China's One- Child Policy, which prohibits families from having more than one child. [If they chose to keep a second child they are faced with fines that for some families could equal a years worth of income.] As a result of this policy, there are thousands of abandoned children throughout China, with the vast majority of them being healthy girls."

Resources

Lost Daughters of China
Wanting a Daughter; Needing a Son
A Daughter from Afar
A Passage to the Heart