How Adoptees View Adoption

     As an adoptive parent and advocate, I have often wondered what my kids thought of my constant obsession with adoption. Having founded a nonprofit devoted to encouraging adoption, I spend a lot of my spare time talking about adoption or further educating myself on all the various components of adoption. Being immersed in this culture of adoption, I wonder how my own adoptive children's thoughts on the experience might change as they get older. Will my adoptive children, one of whom is a young adult and one who is a teen, still see adoption as positive? The National Council For Adoption recently released the results of a survey of adult adoptees and while there were many conclusions, it was heartening to see that the majority of the respondents see adoption in a positive light. 

The survey which was conducted in 2023, included 1,247 individuals adopted from foster care (154), through private domestic adoption (617), internationally (447), and other (29). Findings included:

  • The majority of adoptees are satisfied with their adoption and have overall life satisfaction.
  • The majority of adoptees believe adoption can work in the best interests of adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents.
  • Adoptees stressed the importance of open and honest communication about
    adoption-related issues.
  • Adoptees emphasized the importance of birth family connections/engagement. (p.6)

     Adoptees who participated in the survey were also given opportunity to share advice for future adoptive parents. In the numerous responses, there were three themes that emerged. 

  • First, adoptive parents need to "create an environment of openness and belonging" which includes sharing adoption information including information surrounding the birth family and cultivation a sense that the child belongs (pp. 31-33). 
  • Second, adoptive parents need to be "child-centered" meaning that the parent needs to let the child be themselves, and allow the child to lead when it comes to amount of contact with the birth family or immersion in their culture of origin (p. 34). 
  • The final theme of shared advice involved the need for adoptive parents to "access appropriate education, supports, and resources" for both the parent and the child (p. 35).

I find it encouraging to know that adoptees who are now adults view adoption with satisfaction. Are there exceptions? I am sure there are, but the take away is that prospective adoptive parents and seasoned adoptive parents need to remain open to communication and education. Read articles, listen to podcasts and always be aware and proactive when it comes to conversations with your children.

The full report can be found at https://adoptioncouncil.org/research/profiles-in-adoption/

I welcome all thoughts.



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