FREE ESSAY ON SINGLE ADOPTION

SINGLE ADOPTION

Should Single Individuals be Allowed to Adopt
There are some conflicts concerning whether or not single individuals are capable to
adopt. This paper discusses why singles have the need to adopt. It also discusses some
issues they may encounter when considering adoption. In addition, provided is my personal
opinion as to why I believe single parents should be able to adopt.
The desire to raise a family and nurture a child is common among both married couples and
singles. Single individuals may wish to adopt a child in order to fulfill their need to
nurture. They may feel as though their life may be incomplete and therefore consider
adopting a child. One single commented "I had a stable job and could give a child many
benefits." (About.com, 2000)
Children are placed in orphan homes due to various reasons. Such reasons may include
abuse, abandonment, neglect, homelessness or death. There is an extremely high amount of
children who are in need of a stable home. For example, in 1998 there were 42,000
children in the New York City foster care. Of those 42,000, 6,500 children had parental
rights terminated and were in pre-adoptive placements. Five hundred of those children had
rights completely terminated and were in the need of a home. Approximately 8,000 children
were expected to have their parental rights terminated. Therefore, they would become
eligible to be put up for adoption. Many single individuals have an awareness that these
children have needs and feel that they can provide a better life for them. A teacher
commented, "Because I continually saw children in my special education classes who live
in institutions or went from foster home to foster home, I decided that even as a single
parent I could do more for a child." (About.com, 2000)
(About.com, 2000) (Feeney, 1998)
There are many conflicts that singles face when they decide that they wish to adopt a
child. These conflicts arise within their personal environment as well as within agencies
and institutions. When a single decides that he or she wishes to adopt a child, friends
and family members may suggest otherwise. Friends and family members may insist that the
single is placing a burden on his or herself. They may question the single as to why they
are considering such a responsibility. Many singles who consider adopting a child are
well educated and have careers. Friends and family members may feel that it would
interfere with one's personal responsibilities. They may also believe that the single is
placing a burden on his or herself since they would be raising a single parent household.
(About.com, 2000)
Agencies and institutions may give singles a hard time with approving their request for
adoption. Some agencies have certain policies in regards to single adoptions. Meanwhile,
other agencies do not accept single applicants at all. Some biological factors concerning
single parents have been emphasized by the media. Such factors describe single parents as
being of low-income and struggling. These factors have become stereotypes for single men
and women. However, according to the Committee For Single Adoptive Parents, many single
parents do not fit this description. Many single parents within this organization are
middle class. In addition, nearly half of its members are in good career fields such as:
teachers and social workers. The majority of singles who request to adopt a child are
college graduates and have earned postgraduate degrees. However, they still tend to be a
minority while the majority of adoptive parents are couples. Therefore, singles in
addition must compete with couples who request adoption.
Until the 1980s it was nearly impossible for a single male or female to adopt a child at
any age. Single applicants were normally considered for the placement of children who
needed much care and attention. Due to personal responsibilities singles may have
difficulty caring for a child with disabilities and handicaps. Singles are normally adopt
children who are disabled, handicapped or of a racial minority. Even when a single wishes
to adopt an infant he or she normally adopts a child from another country. Singles
basically adopt children who are in an urgent need of a home.
Single males who adopt children encounter more difficulties as compared to female
singles. Men have difficulty adopting a child both within the country and overseas. Some
nations overseas may accept female applicants who are single, but will not consider a
male applicant. When rejecting male applicants, experts refer to a child's need for
nurture. Females are considered as nurturing, and capable of caring for a child.
Meanwhile, suspicion is applied to the male who wishes to adopt a child.
(Adamic & Pierce, 1991)
I believe that singles should be able to adopt. I don't think that they should be treated
any differently then couples when they apply for adoption. I understand that it is
necessary for institutions to investigate individual's who request adoption, in order to
verify that the child is going to be placed in a decent, loving and stable home. However,
I don't think that they should over emphasize or simply reject singles who wish to adopt.
There are many single parent families that have a loving supportive household. Meanwhile,
there are families with couples that may be dysfunctional. If a single individual has a
good paying job and has what it takes to care for a child then I believe that he or she
is just as qualified as the married couple.
If an individual decides he or she would like to be single, it does not necessarily mean
that he or she is not capable of raising a family. There are many individuals who wish to
remain single for various reasons. I don't think they differ much as a parent as compared
to someone who is married. Who is to determine that a married coupe should be dominate
over a single individual who wishes to adopt a child? It may seem like the right thing to
place a child in a family that consists of two parents. However, I feel that institutions
need to consider the possibility that the married couple can undergo a divorce. Also, I
feel they need to consider the fact that the single individual may eventually get
married.
Children in foster care suffer both emotionally and physically. These children need a
home. There are single individuals who want to help these children. Yet, institutions
doubt that they are capable of handling the responsibility of caring for a child. It may
be true that a single parent may have difficulties caring for their child(ren) while
maintaining a job. However, there are many single parents who survive. Single parents who
adopt can rely on assistance from family members, friends, and daycare centers just like
any other single parent does. If an individual was incapable of caring for a child
without a spouse, then why aren't children taken away from single parents? A child's
mental stability depends on the support that child receives within his or her home. A
child is not deprived of love and support simply because he or she is raised in a single
parent family.
I disagree with the fact that men have an even more difficult time trying to adopt a
child. I understand that women may be nurturing, however I don't believe that a man
should be underestimated. I believe that a male can be capable of raising a child. As
stated before, a child needs love and support. Again, who is to determine that a man is
incapable of providing a child with a decent home?
In conclusion, single individuals who wish to adopt a child face many conflicts.
Conflicts may arise within family members, friends, agencies and institutions. I feel
that single parents should not be deprived from the right to adopt a child. The care of a
child does not depend one's marital status or gender, therefore it should not be
perceived as if it does.
Bibliography
Adamec, C., & Pierce, W. (1991) The Encyclopedia of Adoption
Feeney, S.A. (1998, August 18) Single-Minded About Adoption Unmarried women taking
children into their homes and hearts. The New York Times New York Now/Women/
About.com (2000) http://adoption.about.com/parenting/adoption/msubsgl.htm#gen