The Health Benefits Of Adoption

September 26, 2023

Adoption is a beautiful option for starting a family. Whether you are unable to have children or you always dreamt of embracing a child without a home, there are many options when it comes to adoption. It is possible to adopt a child from another country or to adopt domestically. You can choose to adopt a child of any age or wait a bit longer to adopt a newborn baby. You can also choose the gender and race of your child if it is important to you. However, it is essential to note individuals who are willing to accept and love any child that crosses their path are far more likely to adopt a child faster.

Why Choose Adoption?

So, why choose adoption? Everyone will have a different reason for making the ultimate decision. Infertility, though, is one of the most common reasons couples choose adoption. Individuals in all types of relationships, and single persons suffer from infertility, and those who do can benefit greatly from this child-raising alternative. Another reason is surrogacy is not an option for most families, as it is significantly more expensive than adoption.

Some individuals may also simply wish to provide a loving home to a child who may not otherwise have one rather than to conceive their own child. Medical conditions may make it challenging, if not dangerous, for some women to give birth. Some women (or men) do not wish to pass along certain inherited diseases or genetic disorders. It is also an ideal alternative for single individuals who are ready to start a family and have not yet met the right partner. Again, everyone is different in their choice of adoption; however, everyone is the same in wanting to provide a loving home to a child without one.

The Two Types: Closed Vs Open

You have yet another decision to make once you decide upon adoption: which type of adoption you prefer. The two types are closed and open. It is the ultimate decision of both parties (the birth parents and the adoptive ones) as to whether or not the adoption is open or closed. You can, as a prospective adoptive parent, however, make your desired choice clear from the beginning, before being matched or chosen.

A closed adoption is where the adoptive parents and the birth parents have little to no interaction. Adoptive parents can receive the medical records of the birth parents, if available, however, they will not communicate and interact. An open adoption, which is far more common today, allows the birth parents to remain a part of the process and even involved in the child’s life if the adoptive parents agree. It is up to the birth mother and the adoptive family to establish what is comfortable and right for their circumstance. Research shows many children benefit more from an open adoption, though some parents still prefer a closed adoption. The decision is yours.

Benefits For The Birth Mother

The decision to place a child up for adoption is most commonly due to an unplanned pregnancy. The reasons a woman might choose the path of adoption will vary just as much as the persons hoping to adopt. A woman might have discovered she was pregnant too late to terminate the pregnancy. She may not be in a position to provide for the child financially, or she may not be ready to put her education or career on hold. Or, a woman may simply not be ready for motherhood but still not wish to terminate.

Regardless of the reason she chooses to proceed with an adoption, the benefits for the birth mother are many such as she is more likely to complete school and higher education, avoid poverty, marry, and become gainfully employed. And, she can remain a part of her child’s life if she so chooses to the extent agreed upon with the adoptive parents. This way, she always knows the child is developing well and remaining healthy and happy.

Benefits For The Child

The benefits for the child are equally as advantageous. A few of the greatest benefits are the child will grow up in a stable and loving home with parents who chose them to be a part of their family. The child will have far greater opportunities, such as higher education and travel, due to the fact most adoptive parents are somewhat older than the birth mother and therefore more established in life. Research has proven children from adoptive homes often have better health, more one-on-one attention from parents, are equally as adjusted as non-adopted peers and more involved in extracurricular activities. And, perhaps the best advantage, is because almost all adoptions are open adoptions today, children will know two families love them rather than just one.

Benefits For The Adoptive Family

The benefits for the adoptive family are also significant. These individuals are often passionate about becoming parents and doing an amazing job; therefore, the adoptive family will benefit from fulfilling that dream. Open adoptions provide tremendous benefits to the adoptive family such as to be able to share the family history and insights into the family of the birth parents along to the child. Some individuals are simply missing something from their lives until they become parents. Adoption allows them to feel whole and emotionally fulfilled in life. And, some studies, such as a publication from the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, show parents tend to live longer than those without children.

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