SINGLE PARENT ADOPTION IN THE USA - Essay Example

However, over the years the nurturing qualities of single parents and their need to share their life with another individual has been recognized and as a result the number of single parent adoptions across the country has since been on a rise (Cormell). Background Adoption by single parents was not considered normal prior to the 1960s, as child welfare agencies sought families with married heterosexual couples for adoption. The main reasons cited for non-consideration of single parents was the quality of upbringing of a child in case of a working single parent and the effect of the absence of a father or a mother on the development of the child.

Adoption by single men was not even considered during those years. Though some children were adopted, mostly by women, during this period they were mostly child relatives such as nieces and nephews. The first single parent adoption program was introduced by the Los Angeles Bureau of Adoptions in the year 1965 mainly for housing African-American children for whom same-race parents could not be found. Following this the adoption standards were revised in the year 1968 which allowed single parent adoptions exclusively for cases in which married parents could not be found (Single Parent Adoptions). . Causes for single-parent adoption In the recent years the number of children living with single parents due to divorce and children born out of wedlock has increased.

This has in turn allowed adoption agencies to consider single men and women irrespective of their marital status to be eligible for adoption. Another major factor that is driving single-parent adoptions is having a stable job and the urge to nurture a child. In addition, adoption subsidies which are being provided by many states have also encouraged single parents to confidently take up children for adoption even if their financial status would not otherwise permit them. Single women who are infertile or prefer not to have a child out-of-wedlock resort to adoption.

Many men and women believe that they would be able to provide much better care for children compared to foster homes and adopt for a social cause. Loneliness has also been cited as another reason for single-parent adoptions. In addition, there are an increasing number of older children with special needs who are available for adoption and have fewer takers in married couples (Single Parent). However, such older disabled children are more preferred in case of single-parent adoptions as most of the parents are employed and would not be able to meet out the demands of an infant (Cormell; Single Parent).

Since single parents do not have a spouse to share their time with, they are able to devote their full attention to the adopted children especially those with disabilities. And added to this is the earning capability of a single parent which provides them a financial stability to meet the medical costs and other expenses for growing a child. In addition, many families and their children undergo