November is National Adoption Month. The month is marked by adoption-related articles and discussions. For members of the triad (adoptees, birth families and adoptive families), it’s a time to remember our paths to family. For adoption professionals, it’s a moment to take stock of the past year and think about changes and trends.
The number of domestic infant adoptions has remained fairly steady at 12,000 to 14,000 adoptions annually over the past decade. However, both legal and societal changes have altered the landscape. In past generations, birth parents tended to be young women, many still in high school or college. Almost all were unmarried. As acceptance of single parenthood has increased, these women are less likely to make an adoption plan. There is an increase in grandparents raising grandchildren as well.
Today the most common birth parent is a woman or couple already parenting. Parents understand the sacrifices required raising another baby, and some make the decision to place their child for adoption directly at birth.
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