The Continuing Controversy around Adoption

Agenda 1. Bell Ringer: How are American families categorized? A protective entity or a nurturing group? Why? (5) 2. Lecture: Adoption (10) 3. Quick article debate and analysis, trans-racial adoption (15) 4. Pros and Cons (15) 5. Homosexuality and Adoption article (10) - Complications and Law 7. Article for next class, Effects of trans-racial Adoption (10) 8. Frontline Clip, two families..

Adoption and Family, a History Adoption became more common in the 1940s- 1970s. –Baby Boom = more babies Baby scoop era? –Unwed mothers pressured to place kids up for adoption. –Presented as only option. –Decline began in the 1960s and 70s with the advent of the pill and legalization of abortion in 1976.

Transracial Adoption This is the practice of allowing a family of a different race adopt a child. –Typically more accepted when Caucasian adopts Hispanic and Asian. There is still controversy over white families adopting African American children. Should there be an issue?

The controversy Transracial families officially began in Critics- –Could they effectively prepare children to deal with racism? –Can they fit in society? Do they have a racial identity? –Jim Crow era, children removed from families to suppress communities. –1972 position statement from the NABSW. “Cultural Genocide” Proponents –There are more white families wanting to adopt. –Why worry about color? As long as the family structure is there. –Lower cost to adopt minorities? –Resistance lowered as international adoptions have increased.

Homosexual Adoption About half of the States in the US allow same sex adoption. Many adopt as a single parent, but this presents legal challenges. Welfare of Children is top priority 18 countries recognize same sex adoptions.

The stats , ,200 –80% of infants born to unwed mothers placed in adoption , less than 4% of infants born to single mothers placed into adoption ,000 Why?