Although adoption may
initially seem to be outside your direct experience, adoption in the United
States is much more common than you may realize.
Adoption is Much More Common
It is estimated that there are six to ten million adopted people in the
United States today.[1]
A study conducted several years ago found that six out of ten Americans have
had some personal experience with adoption, such as they themselves, a
family member or close friend was adopted, had adopted a child or had placed
a child for adoption.[2]
About 120,000 children are
adopted by U.S. citizens each year.
About half of these
children are adopted by relatives.
[3]
15-20% of the children
are adopted internationally.
[4]
30-35% of these children
are adopted from the foster care system.
[5]
Plus, the trend information
shows that more and more people are turning to adoption to add to or
complete their families.
More Adoptions Means Better Support
The increasing popularity of
adoption is good news for prospective adoptive parents. Why?
There are more people
available to provide information and support.
There are more adopted
children in the school system which helps dispel inaccurate information
about adoption and allows adopted children to feel less different.
As more adoptions occur,
the rules and pathways become more clear and predictable.
[1]
www.adoption.org [2]
Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, 1997 Study,
www.adoptioninstitute.org [3]
www.adoption.org [4]
U.S. Department of State, http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/stats/stats_451.html [5]
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/s_adoptedhighlights.cfm
