Facts of Adoption

People who were adopted fare significantly better than those children who remain in negligent, abusive birth families, or in foster care or institutions (Maughan et al., 1998, Brodzinsky et al., 1998).

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

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Facts of Adoption

The vast majority of adopted children show behavior patterns and emotional and academic adjustment very similar to those of non-adopted children (Palacios and Sanchez-Sandoval, 2005, Vrand and Brinich, 1999, Brodzinsky, 1987).

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

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Facts of Adoption

People who were adopted reported more confidence in their judgment than non-adopted persons, viewed others more positively, and saw their parents as significantly more nurturing, comforting, and protectively concerned and helpful (Marquis and Detweiler, 1985).

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

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Facts of Adoption

If adopted individuals did experience adoption-related struggles, most of these struggles significantly diminished or disappeared by young adulthood (Feigelman, 1997).

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

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Facts of Adoption

Numerous studies indicate that adoptive parents report high levels of satisfaction with their adoption (Barth and Brooks, 2000).

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

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Facts of Adoption

Long-term outcomes are positive for adopted children, and generally show little or no difference compared to non-adopted children (Benson, 2004).

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

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Facts of Adoption

Adopted children are well-integrated into their families and schools and show good psychological outcomes.  There are few differences between children who have been adopted and their non-adopted peers (Palacios and Sanchez-Sandoval, 2005)

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

To see all the posts in this series, click here.

Facts of Adoption

An expansive 1994 study by the Search Institute comparing adopted teens to other teens found that:

• Compared to their non-adopted siblings, adopted teens showed no significant difference in their perception of similarities between themselves and adoptive parents in terms of interests.

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

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Facts of Adoption

An expansive 1994 study by the Search Institute comparing adopted teens to other teens found that:

• Adopted teens scored lower on indicators of high-risk behavior such as depression, alcohol use, vandalism, and police trouble.

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

To see all the posts in this series, click here.

Facts of Adoption

An expansive 1994 study by the Search Institute comparing adopted teens to other teens found that:

• Adopted teens scored higher on indicators of well-being such as school performance, friendships, volunteerism, self-esteem and optimism.

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

To see all the posts in this series, click here.

Facts of Adoption

An expansive 1994 study by the Search Institute comparing adopted teens to other teens found that:

• Children adopted transracially showed no differences in terms of identity formation and self-esteem, attachment to parents, or psychological health.

Taken from christianalliancefororphans.org

To see all the posts in this series, click here.

Facts of Adoption: Intro

Adoption is a commonly feared and mis-understood process.  It can be scary to consider bringing kids into your home, not knowing what other influencing factors may affect their behavior, or how they'll turn out under your care.

As we have been going through this process, we've been asked a lot of questions.  Some of those include:

• What if you get a damaged child?
• What if they're not the same color as you?
• What if they behave badly because they've been neglected?
• Will they call you Mom?
• Can kids with problems be "fixed?"
• What if they're "too much to handle?"

There are a lot more questions that have come up, but it has really shown me that many people don't really understand adoption and all the implications.  Before I spent so much time researching the subject, I would have counted myself among them.  Even now, I don't have all the answers. Actually, I probably don't even have half the answers. But over the next few weeks, I'd like to share researched facts about adoption based on the most current research I've found.

And, even with all these upcoming facts, I'd also like to say that even with positive research, there's still no guarantee that our future kids won't break our hearts.  But if we're really honest, there wouldn't have been any guarantee if the child had our DNA either,  After all, Dave and I are pretty fallible people.  And for that reason, we're thankful that God's grace can cover anything!

With that, stay tuned for the Facts of Adoption!