Celebrating National Adoption Month

By Diane Forrest

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When I was younger, some kids who went to my school were adopted.  This was not a common practice back then, so they were mentioned in hushed tones. As I got older, I learned more about adoption.  There are many reasons why people adopt children.  A friend of mine has a cousin who adopted a small child from China.  She was single, getting older, and no prospects of getting married.  She didn't want to wait any longer to have a child, so she adopted a young girl from China.  Another friend has five living children and one who died while in infancy.  He and his wife adopted a girl from foster care. They love children, and were able to provide a stable home for this girl.

What is Adoption?

Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the original parent or parents.

There has been alot of news lately about celebrities adopting children.  Probably the most famous case is Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.  Sandra Bullock also adopted a little boy from New Orleans, and Katherine Heigle adopted a girl from South Korea and recently adopted another baby from overseas.  She chose Korea because her sister was adopted from there.

Other famous celebrities who were adopted include Babe Ruth, Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's, Steve Jobs, Marylin Monroe, Melissa Gilbert and Faith Hill.

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This Month celebrates National Adoption Month.  The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in the foster care system occurred in Massachusetts. In 1976, then-Governor Mike Dukakis proclaimed Adoption Week and the idea grew in popularity and spread throughout the nation. President Gerald Ford made the first National Adoption Week proclamation, and in 1990, the week was expanded to a month due to the number of states participating and the number of events.  Click here to read the National Proclamation:   http://adoption.about.com/od/celebrationinspiration/a/National-Adoption-Month-2011.htm

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There are many activities this month to celebrate Adoption Month.  If you know of an adoptive parent, give them your encouragement and support.  They should be commended for being selfless and providing a stable home to those who do not have one.  For other activates of the month, click here: http://national-adoption-month.adoption.com/

National Adoption Awareness Month

By Diane Forrest,

When my son recently got married his wife brought her dog to come live with them.  It wasn't long that she decided her dog was lonely and needed a friend.  They went to the local animal shelter and adopted another dog to join their family.  Charlie, the spaniel, has extra excitement to their home, but they wouldn't trade him for anything.

You hear alot about adoption these days.  Many celebrities are adopting children.  Some who are unable to have children, some who want to prove a home for abandoned children.  Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have adopted several children from different countries, Sandra Bullock recently adopted a baby boy, and Elton John recently adopted a baby.

A friend of mine was telling me about her cousin who adopted a baby girl from China.  She chose adoption because she was single, getting older, and wanted a child.  She was unable to adopt in the United States, so she traveled to China.  Chinese families have several girl babies for adoption because most families are only allowed one child, and it the child is a girl, they put her up for adoption and try for a son.  She told me that her cousin teaches her about her native country as well as her home country.

There are many reasons why a child is put up for adoption.  Some children have lost their parents, and are unable to be cared for by other family members, some are from unwed mothers, who are unable to provide a home, some who are handicapped, and abandoned, and some are used for financial gain.

There is a long history of children being adopted as early as the Roman empire.  Many were considered property and used as slaves; some were adopted into royalty by emperors.  Many children were abandoned during the depression when they couldn't be cared for.

There has been a decline in adoption rates since the 1970's.  Some reasons include the introduction of the birth control pill and the fact that being an unwed mother doesn’t have the same stigma attached as it once did.

Parents of adopted children not only enrich their homes and families, but also allow the children to live in a normal home instead of being institutionalized in an orphanage or other facility.  Whether an adopted child, or pet, each will have a much better, happier life.

This is National Adoption Awareness Month.  To find out more about adoption, visit this site:  http://nationaladoptionawarenessmonth.com/