Hey there, friends! So, let’s chat about something that’s been on my mind lately: the adoption tax credit. You know that moment when lawmakers in D.C. give themselves a pat on the back, claiming they’ve saved this credit as if it’s a shining example of their support for families? It’s frustrating, to say the least. They make it seem like this tax credit is the golden ticket to keeping kids out of foster care and into loving homes. But honestly? I think it’s pretty pathetic.
Originally, the adoption tax credit was meant to encourage families to adopt from the foster care system. However, the reality is that it hasn’t really fixed the issue of kids languishing in foster care. In Ohio alone, there are still 453 children, including sibling groups, waiting for a forever home. Nationwide, that number climbs to about 100,000! And yet we often hear the misleading statistic that for every baby up for adoption, there are 36 hopeful couples waiting. Talk about a disconnect!
Instead of actually helping foster care adoptions, the tax credit has mostly benefited those adopting infants, who can face sky-high costs in a system that can be quite coercive and emotionally charged. Families wait years for that newborn while so many older kids sit in foster care, just waiting for someone to choose them. It’s a huge problem. While the credit offers some relief for families adopting from foster care, it’s simply not enough. There’s a lack of intense social and emotional support that families need to thrive after adoption.
And let’s not forget about the pregnant individuals facing tough decisions. There’s a glaring absence of financial support for them, whether they choose to parent, abort, or put their child up for adoption. For those navigating their options, resources are scarce, and they often encounter judgment rather than support. As someone who founded a pro-choice adoption agency, I feel it’s crucial that we empower pregnant women to make choices that bring them peace, whether it’s adoption, abortion, or parenting.
What’s even more shocking is that during recent tax plan revisions, lawmakers considered cutting the already limited funding that could help kids find adoptive homes. Meanwhile, they attempted to extend financial benefits to unborn children—while ignoring the needs of those already struggling in our systems. It’s clear that these cuts are not about truly supporting families; they’re about advancing certain agendas.
While it may seem like lawmakers are doing something by keeping the adoption credit intact, they’ve clearly neglected the needs of pregnant women. Although I’m passionate about adoption and inspired by my own experience, I can’t celebrate the current state of the adoption credit. If we genuinely want to keep more kids out of foster care, we need substantial financial and social support for low-income families, better living conditions for those considering adoption, and a stop to the erosion of women’s reproductive rights.
Sure, let’s maintain the federal adoption credit—it has its benefits—but it’s just a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to the robust support systems our most vulnerable pregnant women deserve. Until then, we need to keep pushing our lawmakers to do better for them.
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In summary, while the adoption tax credit has its place, it’s not enough to address the deeper issues at play. We need to advocate for comprehensive support and resources for both families looking to adopt and the pregnant individuals navigating their choices.
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