Adoption is the process by which an adult legally and permanently takes over parental responsibility for a child and, at the same time, the rights and responsibilities of the child’s biological parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are terminated. In rare cases, an adult may adopt another adult.
What is “adopted child syndrome”?
“Adopted child syndrome” is a widely-debated and controversial term used to describe the emotional and behavioral challenges that adopted children may experience. The “syndrome” encompasses issues with bonding and attachment as well as problematic behaviors like defiance or violence. It was not included in the latest version of the DSM and is not currently considered a validated diagnosis.
Is adoption good or bad for children?
Adoption is not one-size-fits-all, and narratives that try to paint the practice as all good or all bad are likely missing some critical nuance and the wide range of possible experiences. Some adoptees report feeling supported and nurtured by their adoptive families; others feel misplaced or struggle with feelings of abandonment, grief , or guilt . As with biological children, there are sadly cases where adoptees were subject to abuse or trauma after being adopted.
Adoption has long been discussed in black-and-white terms—children who experience were painted as either “saved” or “traumatized,” with little room in-between. Recently, more nuanced discussions that incorporate the stories of adult adoptees suggest it is neither universally good nor universally bad; rather, the outcome depends on a wide variety of factors including the parent’s (or parents’) behavior, the child’s genetic makeup and personal history, personality traits of both parties, and the environment in which the child grows up.
To learn more about adoptees' perspectives on adoption, see The Adoptee Experience.
How do birth parents feel about placing their children for adoption?
Placing a child for adoption can be an emotionally complex process. While some birth parents report feeling sure in their decision and happy to see their birth child grow up with their adoptive family, others struggle with feelings of guilt, sadness, or regret. All of these emotional responses are valid, and birth parents should not hesitate to seek support if necessary. Before making the decision to place a child for adoption, birth parents should strive to learn as much as they can about the process, consider their own expectations for contact, and read or hear other birth parents’ perspectives to get a sense of what adoption might mean for them.
To learn more about what adoption is like for birth parents, see The Birth Parent Experience.
Explore More About Adoption
For a comprehensive understanding of adoption, read our complete guide: