Why are children being adopted?

The simple answer is that children are being adopted because their birth parents were unable to care for them. But, adoption is more complicated than that. Adoption may be the result of the direct wishes of the birth parents. It also may be the result of abuse or neglect, poverty and abandonment, or the death of the birth parents. Whatever the circumstances surrounding adoption, the most important point to convey is that the child's birth or behavior did not cause the adoption. The birth parents were incapable of being successful parents to any child at that time.

Who are the children being adopted?

The most recent and complete findings on adoption come from the National Center for State Courts in Williamsburg, Virginia. Researchers Victor Flango and Carol Flango reviewed court records, bureaus of vital statistics, and social service agencies and found that in 1992, there were 127,441 children adopted in the United States.

The Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, collects data from the States semi-annually through the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System (AFCARS). This federally mandated data collection program provides the most complete data on children in foster care. Based on the 2000 estimates, there are approximately 520,000 children currently in foster care in the United States. Of these, 117,000 are eligible for adoption. In 1998, 36,000 children were adopted from the public foster care system - 83% were under 10 years old, 52% were male and 48% were female, and 61% were of minority background.

In 1998, there were 15,774 children adopted from a foreign country (intercountry adoption). Of these 15,774 children - 89% were under 4 years old, 36% were male and 64% were female.

Where are the children being adopted from and going to?

The Demographic Statistics Branch of the Immigration and Naturalization Service tracks the number of immigrant visas issued to orphans coming into the United States, therefore providing the source of data for intercountry adoption. In 1998, 15,774 visas were issued compared to 1992, when 6,536 international adoptees were brought to the United States. The top five sending countries in 1998 were Russia, China, South Korea, Guatemala, and Vietnam. The primary receiving States were New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New Jersey.

Within the U.S., the States with the highest number of adoptions (all types) are generally the States with the greatest populations. In 1992, California led with 14,722 adoptions, followed by New York with 9,570, Texas with 8,235, Florida with 6,839 and Illinois with 6,599.

Explaining adoption

Adoption is a sensitive subject. But approaching the subject, regardless of who is asking the questions, with a clear and comfortable understanding of your own personal feelings will ease in the discussion. The more confident parents are, the more willing children will be to share their thoughts and feelings and the more relaxed family and friends will feel.

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)