Chosen Children

Dr. Valentina Pavlovna Wasson of New York City has two adopted children. Like most foster parents, she fretted about telling her children that they were adopted. She finally solved her problem by doing a picture book for them about a Man and His Wife who were "happily married for many years. Their one trouble was that they had no babies of their own." The care they take in selecting a baby and the care the orphanage takes in checking on the foster parents--even peeking under their beds for dust (see cut)--are all described so as to reassure the children that being adopted is a highly respectable thing. This week Dr. Wasson published her book, The Chosen Baby.* Its intended market: the 16,000 U. S. families who adopt children every year.

Today the process of adoption is no secret. In every State numerous orphan asylums, private or State agencies have adoption services. Most famed haven is The Cradle at Evanston, Ill., which has sent children to Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler, George Burns and Grade Allen, Miriam Hopkins, Joe E. Brown.

Adoption agencies choose parents with great care, usually prefer couples around 30 years of age who are in good health, have secure incomes and sunny dispositions and homes. Although there is no rule against giving children to well-settled single persons, the demand for children far exceeds the supply and childless couples have first choice. Greatest difficulty agencies have is discouraging people over 50, who insist on adopting infants. Average age of foster parents, however, is around 40, since most persons wait for adoption until they are convinced that they can have no children of their own. Great-- est favorites are golden-haired little girls, around two years old. Last to go are mischievous boys of eight or ten.

All children are given thorough physical and mental tests before they are sent to homes for trial periods before legal adoption. Few children are ever returned to agencies. Religious ties are respected, and often children of mixed blood are supplied upon request. Four-year-old Al Jolson Jr. is half-Irish, half-Jewish, to match his foster mother and father.

Fewer are adoptions of "illegitimate"*children today, for social workers try to persuade unmarried mothers not to give up their babies.

Contrary to popular opinion, most babies are not driven away from orphanages in limousines, but are carried away by couples with small incomes. Through the State Charities Aid Association in Manhattan, babies have been given to laundresses, bootblacks and laborers who have steady jobs. A letter from satisfied foster parents (humble Italians who named their boy Tony) received by that agency: "Strong in health, lovely in heart, red in the face, quiet in the life, intelligent, beautiful, it is the boy that God give us."

*Currick and Evans ($1.50). *Seldom used by lawyers is the term illegitimacy in adoption. A child born out of wedlock belongs to its mother, may legally bear her name and inherit her property.

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