The upcoming changes in adoption rules for China have me thinking even more than usual about the world's children, how those who have no one are dealt with, and what perceptions exist these days.

Without doubt, 2006 was a year when massive amounts of media coverage about international adoption was churned out ad nauseam, but interestingly enough, the actual numbers of children adopted by Americans went down.

Who would have predicted that?

Some are saying the bubble has burst ... that the rising enthusiasm for adopting children from other countries is waning, and that from now on fewer and fewer will be coming to America.

"The huge growth rates you saw in the '90s -- I think that's over," said Thomas DiFilipo of the Joint Council on International Children's Services.

I'm wondering what's caused this dip. Is is backlash to reports of unsavory practices? A growing isolationism in the US? Is the negative portrayal inspired by rabid anti-adoption PR working? Or are international adoptions just no longer so trendy?

It has already been the case that adoptions from China fell by 18% last year, and with restrictions set to go into effect that would prevent singles and others from the process there, fewer and fewer Chinese children will find families in the future.

Some are touting this as a step forward and linking reduced adoptions with happier circumstances. As one employee of an agency dealing with adoptions from China says:

"I'm praying to be out of a job as soon as possible," said Zhong, a one-time child member of the Red Guard who came to the United States in 1986. "I want to see a China where no one will be abandoned."

With entry into the EU forcing a whole lot of flash over any substance in countries like Romania and Bulgaria, institutions are closing, kids are being booted out the door, and international adoption has ground to a halt.

Continued ...