Many of us think of November as the start of the holiday season–gathering with family and friends, sharing gratitude, and, of course, consuming thousands of calories for Thanksgiving. But November holds even deeper significance for many, as it’s also National Adoption Month, with National Adoption Day observed each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Since 2000, when the Alliance for Children’s Rights, Children’s Action Network, Freddie Mac Foundation, and the Dave Thomas Foundation began promoting and advocating for adoption, over 75,000 children have been united with their forever families. National Adoption Day serves as a focal event for finalizing many of these adoptions and raising awareness.
Adoption Awareness
Every day, 50 youth age out of foster care, and annually, over 20,000 teens will face the same fate. These young people are at high risk of homelessness, unemployment, and struggles with mental health and delinquency. National Adoption Day’s primary focus is on foster care and foster-to-adopt. It is a celebration of love, belonging, and the countless families who open their hearts and homes.
It’s important to dispel the myth that children in foster care are ‘problem children.’ In reality, most are there due to circumstances beyond their control—actions of neglect or abuse by their biological parents and their inability to care for them. The primary goal of foster care is to reunite the family, with adoption as a last resort.
However, National Adoption Month gives us the opportunity to shine a light on adoption awareness as a whole. In the United States there are approximately 1.5 million children who have been adopted – that’s equivalent to 1 in 50, or about 2% of the population. Each year, around 140,000 adoptions take place through American families. In foster care alone, there are 400,000 children in care, with 125,000 of them eligible for adoption.
Barriers to Adoption
We can’t talk about adoption without shining a brighter light on the significant challenges within international adoption, which has seen a steep decline of over 60% in recent years. In 2020, the total number of international adoptions in the United States was just 1,622, a sharp decline from 2,969 in 2019.
Recently, China ended its adoption program with the United States, leaving many families who had been waiting years for a child referral in limbo, unable to bring their child home. This decision came as a shock to those still in the process, some of whom had been waiting even before the COVID pandemic. Due to ongoing economic, political, and social factors, the number of children adopted through intercountry adoption continues to drop dramatically.
There are many barriers to international adoption, including the high costs and the extended stays in the child’s home country, which add significant complexity to the process. The stress of navigating extensive paperwork, having to live abroad for extended periods, and essentially putting their careers and lives on hold in the United States can make the process feel impossible. Many ultimately abandon their dreams of adoption. However, for those that persevere with patience and fortitude, the rewards are immeasurable and life-changing.
Depending on the type of adoption, costs can be a significant barrier. Domestic adoptions typically range from $40,000 to $60,000, while international adoption can exceed $65,000 to $70,000, depending on the country.
Let’s Turn Awareness Into Action
National Adoption Day is a time to reflect, raise awareness, and start conversations. But awareness alone isn’t enough. How can you or your organization take tangible steps to support adoption and foster care?
Check out this post to discover actionable ways to make a difference and build a culture of support in your workplace and community.
