In the United States alone, there are 500,000 children in foster care, but only 100,000 in which the parental rights to the child have been terminated. Making the decision to adopt a child is only the start of many obstacles.
Authorities run background checks, and require references.
The parents then write an essay to persuade the agency to allow them to adopt a child. Certification to adopt a baby comes about six months after this. The prosepective parents are not considered ready to raise a child yet. Another social worker performs a final safety and fire check. Initially, a social worker comes every other week to ensure that the baby is in a healthy environment.