Adoption: Giving the Gift of Family

parents with adopted child

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Is there room in your heart and your home for a child who is waiting to be adopted? If so, there are plenty of available youth. According to estimates from The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), 369,000 children are in the U.S. child welfare system in their most recent report for fiscal year 2022.

Why are so many children in foster care?

People often assume that children enter foster care because of physical or sexual abuse. However, the website of the Christian Alliance for Orphans reports that…

In 2022, neglect was the top reason children were removed from their homes, accounting for 62% of placement cases. Parental drug abuse (33%), “caretaker inability to cope” (13%), and physical abuse (13%) were the next three most common causes for removal.

Who Are These Children?

Age: AFCARS reports that the average age of a child in foster care in 2022 was 8. Only 7% were infants. More than half were under 10, and 27% were teenagers up to 18 years of age.  

Gender: That same article states that 51% of children in foster care in 2022 were male and 49% were female. You can read or download the AFCARS Report here.

Ethnicity and Race: Historically, children of color have been disproportionately represented in the child welfare system. American Indian and Alaska Native children are overrepresented in foster care.

To some degree, these disparities track with differences in the rates of child poverty, substance abuse, or neglect that are often driving factors for family separation. However, according to a Child Welfare Information Gateway and Children’s Bureau report, children of color are not only overrepresented in suspected maltreatment but they also “experience disparate treatment once they are involved with child welfare.” Across foster care data sets, they found that Black children on average spend longer in foster care than White children, are less likely to reunite with their birth families, and are less likely to benefit from services. – Christian Alliance for Orphans

Why Adopt?

Adopting a child can provide numerous benefits, both for the child and the adoptive parents. Here are some of the top reasons why adoption is important:

  • Providing a Loving Home: Adoption offers children a stable, loving home where they can feel safe, secure, and supported.
  • Giving Children a Chance: Many children in the US foster care system are waiting for families. Adoption can provide these children with a permanent family and the opportunity to thrive.
  • Building Strong Families: Adoption can help build strong, diverse families. It allows couples and individuals to experience the joys of parenthood and create lasting bonds.
  • Supporting Children in Need: By adopting a child, you are directly contributing to the well-being of children who may have experienced trauma or hardship.
  • Making a Difference in a Child’s Life: Adoption can have a profound impact on a child’s life, providing them with the love, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.

Adoption is giving a needy child the gift of family.

Adoption is also a gift to the giver.

Adoption allows couples and individuals to experience the joys of parenthood and raise a child they love. It’s a journey filled with love, growth, and shared experiences. Adoption can help create a diverse and loving family. Adoptive parents have the opportunity to make a positive impact on a child’s life and contribute to their future success. Many adoptive parents report a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction from raising an adopted child. Adoption can expand a family’s network and create new relationships. Raising an adopted child can strengthen the bond between adoptive parents.

Types of Adoption

There are several types of adoption in the United States. Here are some of the most common:

Domestic Adoption

  • Public Adoption: This involves adopting a child from the foster care system. Children in foster care are often waiting for families, and public adoption provides them with a permanent home.
  • Private Adoption: This involves working with an adoption agency or attorney to adopt a child from a private placement. This can include domestic infant adoption or older child adoption.

International Adoption

  • Intercountry Adoption: This involves adopting a child from a foreign country. The process can be complex and involves working with government agencies and international adoption service providers.

Other Types

  • Stepparent Adoption: This involves a stepparent adopting their stepchild. I had the blessing of adopting my stepson when he was 13 years of age, after having raised him since he was 3.
  • Relative Adoption: This involves a relative, such as a grandparent or aunt/uncle, adopting a child.

Factors to Consider

When choosing a type of adoption, it’s important to consider factors such as:

  • Desired age and gender of the child
  • Openness to adoption of children with special needs
  • Willingness to wait for a child
  • Financial resources

Again, it’s important to note that adoption is a complex process that requires careful consideration and preparation. If you’re interested in adopting a child, consulting with adoption professionals who can provide expert guidance and support throughout the process is highly recommended. Their knowledge and experience can help navigate the legal and emotional aspects of adoption, ensuring a smoother journey for both the child and the adoptive parents.

Inspiration from the Holy Scriptures

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children[a] of God.

15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[b] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. Romans 8:14-17 NLT

Adoption in the Bible

The concept of adoption is a significant theme in the Bible, particularly in the context of God’s relationship with humanity. While the term “adoption” itself is not used directly in the Old Testament, the idea of God adopting or claiming a people as His own is prevalent.

There are three adoptions in the Old Testament (Moses, Esther, and Genubath, 1 Kings 11:20). Israel is called God’s son (Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 14:1; 32:6; Jeremiah 31:9; Hosea 11:1), but not until the New Testament is this called adoption.

Key Themes:

  • God as Father: One of the most prominent themes is God’s role as a father. He is depicted as a loving and caring parent who adopts His chosen people, Israel. This adoption is seen as a covenant relationship, where God promises protection, provision, and guidance in exchange for obedience.
  • Spiritual Adoption: The New Testament, particularly Paul’s writings, emphasizes the concept of spiritual adoption. Christians are described as being adopted into God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ. This adoption grants them the status of sons and daughters of God, and they inherit all the blessings and privileges associated with this relationship.
  • Grace and Mercy: Adoption is seen as a manifestation of God’s grace and mercy. It is a freely given gift, not earned through human merit. This emphasizes the idea that salvation is a work of God’s grace, not human effort.

In summary, the Bible’s adoption concept represents God’s loving and caring relationship with humanity. It signifies His adoption of Israel as His chosen people and the spiritual adoption of believers into His family through faith in Jesus Christ. This theme underscores the idea of God’s grace, mercy, and provision for His people.

Giving a child the gift of family is one of the godliest things any human can do.

About the Author

Eli Williams is a father, grandfather, and mentor to several men. He and his wife Judy have served in community outreach ministry since the late 1980s and founded Urban Light Ministries in 1995. Eli has been a professional fatherhood practitioner since 2008 and is an ordained Christian minister helping to pastor New Hope Church in Springfield, Ohio. Reverend Williams authored Father Love—The Powerful Resource Every Child Needs in 2016 and led ULM in the creation of Fathering Strong.