UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is viewed by most as a highly reputable, wonderful organization that works hard to help children in need. Those of us involved in international adoption know that the term “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” can be used when talking about the revered charity. They have worked hard to polish their squeaky clean image and get empathetic people to write checks in the hopes that they are helping needy children. What most people don’t know is that if those needy children happen to be without a family to care for them and are living in orphanages and are up for international adoption, UNICEF would (in most cases) rather they stay put (without thought to the reality that there are little to no systems in place for their care) than be adopted by outsiders.

The main problem with UNICEF and their views is that they ignore the realities of the world we live in and their views can be vague. The current situation in Guatemala is the perfect example of why UNICEF keeps ending up on the chopping block. Please read Lisa's very thorough, very informative post over on the Guatemala Adoption Blog titled "Shame on UNICEF" and Sandra over at the International Adoption Blog shared her views (which I share) on UNICEF's unrealistic and damaging views on international adoption:

Can we point out how downright silly many of UNICEF's arguments against international adoption are? The hierarchal system insisted upon, for example, that can so quickly be checked and discounted: bio parents, then other nationals, then foreigners living in country, then as a last, last resort, parents in gasp! a whole other country.

Families Without Borders conducted a very interesting study on UNICEF and their involvement in international adoptions from Guatemala. Please take some time to read their findings and form your own conclusions.

I want to add that of course I think it’s important for children to remain in their country of birth IF they have a family who is able to care for them; of course children should remain with their birth parents IF that is a realistic possibility; of course the children’s best interests should come first, and not the interests of adoptive parents. But what about the kids who are languishing in orphanages right now as I type? What about the kids who have been legally relinquished or abandoned and need a family? What if there is a family from another country who wants to adopt them, raise them, love them and care for them? Well, of course they should be adopted!

The kids who knock on your door and proudly hold out their little "Trick or Treat for UNICEF" boxes think they're doing a good deed, as do their parents. I'd rather hand out a package of Oreos with a smile and continue to share what I've learned about UNICEF with others.

More Reading:
Unicef’s position on Inter Country Adoption
Anti-trafficking Day: UNICEF and not about International Adoption
UNICEF/You