Are you considering adopting a child from another country? It means a lot to think about this idea, but actually going through the process is a pretty remarkable event. Adopting a child from another country is a very important life option for which a family must be mentally prepared, they may even have to change their habits for the child. Although approximately 13,000 immigrant children are adopted each year, there are many issues that adoptive parents must worry about when adopting from abroad. Delays in speech and language development are the most common delays among children adopted internationally. Another problem is that of contact with the child's family heritage and that of losing the link with their heritage. The physical and mental fitness of the child is another issue of concern for internationally adopted children. There are more children up for adoption internationally than domestically, which means adoption within the country. International adoptions began in Scandinavia about 30 years ago. Sweden had the most foreign adoptees. Later, adoptions across national borders became increasingly common (Dahlen). Think about how difficult it was to adopt internationally thirty years ago, because today there are many delays, even with all the technological advancements. Delays range from paperwork to potential fraud. There is a lot of paperwork to complete to ensure that the child goes to a safe and caring family. Currently, there have been delays due to the risks of potential fraud (Krueger, 2). The process also has delays due to the needs of the child. Sometimes adoptive parents have to travel around the country and possibly stay there for a few weeks...... middle of paper ......content/helping-adopted-children-with-food-numbers -a355643.---. “Advantages and disadvantages of international adoption. » Suite101.com. (November 4, 2008): April 5, 2011. http://www.suite101.com/content/pros-and-cons-of-international-adoption-a76618.Liptak, Karen. “Adoption controversies.” New York: Franklin Watts, 1993. Meese, Ruth Lynn. “Some New Children: Post-Institutionalized Children of International Adoption.” Directory of articles on international adoption. (January 5, 2006): April 22, 2011 http://www.adoptionarticlesdirectory.com/Article/A-Few-Children--Postinstitutionalized-childrenof-Intercountry-Adoption/920.Pohl, Constance and Kathy Harris. Transracial adoption. New York: Franklin Watts, 1992. Strickert, Mary M. “Guide to International Adoption.” Adoption Associates, Inc. (2004): April 5, 2011. http://international.adoption.com/foreign/pros-cons-of-international-adoption.html.