Exploring the History of Adoption in Guatemala
Guatemala is known for its breathtaking natural landscapes, lush rainforests, colonial Spaish architecture, and ancient archeological sites. It is home to Mayan culture and civilization.
Travelers from all over the world are drawn to the vibrant textiles and designs that showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Aside from the natural wonders, the country offers heartwarming connections to the local people. When you come to Guatemala you’ll find empowering stories of communities united.
A brutal Civil War took place in Guatemala from 1960 to 1996, leaving the nation devastated. The ripple effects of this conflict are still being felt today. Current issues in Guatemala include orphaned and village children who suffer from restricted access to education and are living in poverty.
Post-war Guatemala has been healing and rebuilding while honoring and preserving the country’s cultural heritage. In this Naturally Smart Travel blog post, we write about the history of adoption in Guatemala to understand the past while inspiring hope for the future. While shining a light on the orphanages and organizations that are creating new opportunities for adoption in Guatemala.
The History of Adoption in Guatemala
This history of adoption in Guatemala went through a dark period in the late 20th century. While no system of caring for orphaned children is perfect, the adoption system in Guatemala today has undergone many changes.
Adoption is an ever-evolving system that is influenced by social, political, and legal factors. Currently, Guatemala does not allow adoptions from outside of the country, and there is no formal foster care system in place.
Many children are forced to work at a young age, making them vulnerable to exploitation. The lack of access to education perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Many are often forced to rely on institutions for care.
The good news is that today there are amazing organizations like Work. Play. Love. and the Hope Academy that are making positive and impactful changes. They are helping to inspire, improve, and empower the lives of young people. They create safe shelters, loving environments, and educational opportunities to help build a brighter future for the children of Guatemala.
Summary of Adoption Practices
Guatemala has a history of informal adoption. The traditional childcare practices in Guatemala relied on extended family and communities to help care for children. This community approach helped to shape family dynamics and bonds beyond bloodlines.
The traditional methods and values of the tribes relied on a shared cooperative experience of childcare. In Indigenous communities, it is common for the nuclear and extended family to live under the same roof. This community home helps to divide the household chores and the labor of running a home. The idea that “it takes a village to raise a child” applies perfectly to the Guatemalan people which balances tradition with child welfare.
The Emergence of Modern Adoption in Guatemala
Early adoption efforts in Guatemala were influenced by missionaries and humanitarian organizations. Before the 1960s international adoption cases occurred on a much smaller scale, and were primarily to missionary families.
In the late 20th century international adoption rose partly in response to the 36-year civil war.
1968 marks the first finalized international adoption from Guatemala. Yet the turning point was in 1977 when the Guatemalan Congress passed a law that privatized adoption.
From 1996 to 2007 there was an increase in international adoptions until the reforms of 2007 and 2008. These adoption laws and regulations were difficult to navigate and are criticized for being flawed and exploiting vulnerable families. The Notary Public system allowed lawyers to swiftly process adoptions without needing a hearing before a legal court. This corrupt system was prime for adoption fraud which many vulnerable families fell victim to.
Challenges and Changes Over Time
Over 34,000 Guatemalan children were adopted by United States parents between 1996 and 2007. The adoption reforms of 2007 were implemented as a way to address issues of fraud and combat the extensive corruption that was taking place.
There were various concerns around the ethical dilemmas in international adoption including illegal and demand-driven practices. This collective experience impacted society; leaving doubts and internal conflicts which have resulted in uncertain attitudes toward adoption today.
The 2007 reforms halted international adoptions with the safety and well-being of the children in mind. The current adoption system in Guatemala permits only domestic adoptions. The new laws carefully oversee the multiple steps of the adoption process to guarantee the children's best interests.
Heartwarming Stories of Adoption
There are many amazing stories of families united across borders.
Organizations like Adoptees With Guatemalan Roots provide educational resources while helping adopted children reconnect with their roots and build community. This network helps adopted children embrace Guatemala's multifaceted heritage while also having a support system that consists of their peers in similar circumstances.
There’s been a resurgance of adopted children in the U.S. who are taking the voyage to reconnect with their birth culture, people, country, and families. This powerful experience reconnects them with their origins and offers a chance for cultural immersion and a deeper understanding of themselves on their life journey.
The Future of Orphanages and Adoption in Guatemala
The future of orphanages and adoption in Guatemala is all about building stronger communities for the children.
Work. Play. Love. is a nonprofit that supports and cares for orphans and local village children. In the past 11 years, they have helped over 1300 orphans, by providing a safe haven by giving kids access to shelter, food, and education. Check out all the good work they are doing in Guatemala and Mexico: visit, volunteer, donate, or help spread the word!
The Hope Academy is a bilingual all-girls school in Guatemala. The children at the Hope Academy receive a high-quality education. This life-changing opportunity provides these girls with connection, confidence, problem-solving skills, and hope for a brighter future.
Creating Opportunities for Guatemalans is a nonprofit whose mission is to lift Guatemalan children from poverty through education. It is by learning to read and furthering their education that these children will have the opportunity to have a better future and more employment opportunities.
At the moment only domestic adoptions are permitted in Guatemala. These current adoption policies and practices are meant to keep Guatemalan children in their birth culture and country. While also honoring the history of adoption in Guatemala.
Fostering a sense of support and growth within the community that inspires hope for the future of the children of Guatemala and tells an empowering story of a community united in their efforts to provide a bright future for the children.
Conclusion
The work of organizations like Work. Play. Love. is more important than ever in Guatemala, as the country continues to grapple with the effects of the civil war and the ongoing challenges that result from it.
By providing children with the support they need to succeed, these organizations help build a promising future for the next generation of Guatemalans while ensuring that the best interests of the children remain at the forefront.
All children deserve to grow up with a positive self-image and realize their full potential. It is our hope here at Naturally Smart Travel that every child becomes a productive, responsible, and caring citizen of the world. We are grateful for the adoption and foster care services that are in place which give children the chance to lead fulfilling, healthy, and prosperous lives. Everyone deserves to be loved.
Sources
Carmen Monico, Karen S. Rotabi-Casares & Kelley M. Bunkers (2022): The National Adoption System and Child Protection in Guatemala: Looking Back and Examining the Today, Adoption Quarterly, DOI: 10.1080/10926755.2022.2156641
Garigan, Meave. “Guatemala’s Adoption Industry.” The SAIS Review of International Affairs, vol. 27, no. 2, 2007, pp. 179–81. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/27000101. Accessed 8 June 2024.
Givens, Gemma. “History of (Irregular) Adoption in Guatemala.” Next Generation Guatemala. YouTube. 22 April 2022. https://www.google.com/search?q=adoption+in+guatemala. Accessed 8 June 2024.
