| Adoption occurs when a person takes full parental | | | | them together in a loving environment. |
| custody of a child that is not naturally theirs. The | | | | Another reason many people choose to adopt is out |
| natural parent(s) give the adoptive parents full rights | | | | of the goodness of their own hearts. Many people |
| and responsibilities of the child(ren) and relinquishes all | | | | who have children or have the ability to have children |
| rights of their own. There are a variety of | | | | naturally still seek adoption because there is such a |
| circumstances that may have occurred and the child | | | | need for adoptive parents in the world. |
| was placed for adoption either privately or through | | | | What are the different practices of adoption? |
| an agency. A natural parent may wish to give their | | | | There are three general categories of adoption, |
| child a better life than what they feel they can | | | | private adoption, public adoption and international |
| provide them. The death of the natural parent(s) | | | | adoption. Private adoption occurs when the natural |
| may also create the need for adoption either by | | | | parent decides to place their child up for adoption, |
| family members or by an adoptive parent. | | | | however, they want the choice of who the adoptive |
| Whatever the reason for the adoption, the adoptee | | | | parents are. Typically, the adoptive parents place an |
| becomes the legal child of the adoptive parents. | | | | advertisement and the natural parent will respond. |
| There is no real difference between a child who lives | | | | This type of adoption generally includes the adoptive |
| with his or her biological parents or with adoptive | | | | parents taking care of all costs and possibly the |
| parents. When adoption occurs the adoptive parents | | | | medical costs associated with the birth of the child. |
| assumes all rights and responsibilities when it comes | | | | A public adoption is performed through an agency. In |
| to the care and well-being of the child(ren) | | | | general, older children and those with disabilities are |
| Why do people adopt? | | | | placed with a public adoption agency. These children |
| The reasons people choose adoption vary a great | | | | very often have some emotional, physical, or mental |
| deal. Some people may choose to adopt because | | | | disorders that will need attention. |
| they cannot conceive a child of their own with either | | | | An international adoption takes place outside of the |
| natural or medical methods. This is probably the most | | | | country where the adoptive parents live. Many |
| common reason that a couple chooses to adopt a | | | | people are choosing this type of adoption more and |
| child. Some older couples will seek adoption after their | | | | more. While it is a little more expensive and requires |
| own natural children have left home because they | | | | a lot of extra work, the adoption of an international |
| loved raising children and want to help another child. | | | | child is a loving choice. Many of these children do not |
| Couples that are gay or lesbian also choose adoption | | | | have enough food to eat, medical attention or |
| because having their own child naturally is not a | | | | families for one reason or another. |
| possibility, yet they long to have a child and raise | | | | |