These are the number of adoptions from Taiwan by US citizens that have been completed in the past several years.
2006 -187
2005 -138
2004 -107
2003 -104
2002 -48
Most adoptions from Taiwan are by Dutch families in the Netherlands (663 total from 1990 -2005).Most adoptions were infants from orphanages.There are 32 orphanages in Taiwan, 4 of which have contracts with American adoption agencies
Right now, Taiwan is the 14th most densely populated country in the world. It was #2 in 1997.The size of Taiwan is 13,892 square miles, a little less than Delaware and Maryland combined, although it holds over 23 million people.Their population growth rate is .30%, which has slowed from .80% in 2000.
The population increase and density has slowed in recent years. Partly because of young women choosing careers and education and waiting until later in life to marry. Another part is due to efforts by the government to promote 1 or 2 child families. They have a slogan '1 is not too few; 2 is just right'. Also, young couples are seeing children as many Americans do (as expenses) and having only one or two, as they feel it is what they can 'afford'.
Taiwan is a small place with many people. Family size is decreasing. Many pregnancies are being terminated and many babies are being given up to orphanages. Orphanages are full. Child abuse rates are high. Foster homes are fewer than needed. Case workers are fewer than needed.
Taiwanese families in general do not adopt. It is an Asian cultural system tied to family blood lines. There is the fear of nonacceptance by other family members for the child is not blood and the fear that the child will turn 18 and look for its blood family. Fear.
Unwed mothers and single mothers are socially unaccepted. They are discriminated against. They are not hired for jobs, cannot find child care, cannot find an apartment to rent, and receive no support and ostracized from family. So most choose abortion. The option of placing the child up for adoption is only available if they can find an organization to take care of them until they give birth.There is a need for an unwed mothers and children's home in Taiwan. While there are a few in some parts of he island, there are none in some sections of island. In Taitung County, there is no unwed mothers home, no children's home.
The Pan's are trying to change that.They desire to see a home for unwed mothers so the women may choose life for their child, a home that will meet their physical need for shelter, food, clothing AND provide for their mental, emotional, and spiritual needs to empower and educate them for their future. A home that values the life of the mother AND the child.
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing this information. We are in the process of adopting from Taiwan, but I didn't know a lot of this. It really helps to hear what it is like for the birth parents in Taiwan to prepare us for future questions from our child and to understand what the birth parents are going through. It give me a better idea of how to pray.
Vickie H.
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