Debates Over Adoption

Adoption has been used throughout time as a means to care for parentless children. While debate exists on both the history and future of adoption, it can be a meaningful way to share a family's love.

  1. History

    • In the United States, the first large-scale organization of adoptions began in the 1850s. The "orphan trains" were designed to bring children from urban areas to farming families in the Midwest.

    Effects

    • Adoption was thought to provide upward mobility, better education and healthier lifestyles to children in need. Debate about early adoptions remains; many birth mothers and families asserted that they were coerced into giving their children up or that they were lied to and told they could reunite in the future.

    Considerations

    • It must be noted that early U.S. adoption was a money-making industry. Wealthy families paid considerable sums to adopt babies.

    Modern Adoption

    • Domestic adoptions are still arranged, but international adoption has become much more prominent.

    Considerations

    • Questions have been raised about the exploitation of foreign parents giving up children to international adoption. There is debate as to how much birth parents are told about international adoption and the translation of adoption laws.

    Types

    • Issues of interracial adoption continue to be debated. Additionally, gay, lesbian and transgender adoption is at the forefront of much adoption research.

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