Adoption: What are your options?

Adoption gives the legal responsibility to an individual or couple to care for and raise a child that is not born into their family. Adoption becomes an option when:

• attempts at pregnancy have failed
• there are physical or inherited problems that prevent a successful pregnancy or
• there is a desire to offer a home and love to a child who has no one to love or care for them

Many different kinds of children can be adopted. Adopting parents need to decide if they are willing and able to raise a child who is:

• an infant or older
• disabled
• foreign born or
• of a different or mixed race

There are fewer white, healthy babies available for adoption. There are many children, such as foreign born, older children, and special needs children, who have mental, physical, or medical problems, that are available for adoption.

Individuals or couples may adopt one or more children through a private, public, or independent agency or source, such as an attorney. Before deciding on a particular adoption placement agency or source, be sure to investigate the credibility and policies of the agency. The agency will do an evaluation that includes history taking, interviews, and medical exams. Information will be required about finances, health, marriage, and employment.

Raising an adopted a child is a highly rewarding experience. However, the adoption process can be confusing, stressful, time consuming, and expensive. Personal and family goals should be clear when starting the process. Commitment and determination are important during this time. It may take years until a child is available for a family.

Open adoption is becoming much more popular. In an open adoption, the birth mother is allowed to know and give approval of the adopting parents. She may even wish to share in the raising of the child. A closed adoption allows the birth mother and adoptive parents to remain anonymous. Laws that pertain to adoption may vary from state to state, so it is essential to know what type of placements are or are not allowed by your state's laws. I

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File FAMI4536.rf2 VRS# 4536 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1998, 2000, 2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.