Adoption Reviews

Adoption Resources

Resources for Adopted Individuals

Adoption is a life - changing event for all involved, from the birth parents who make the brave decision to give their child up, to the adoptive parents who make an equally brave decision to welcome that child whereas their own. Yet one group which may go overlooked is that of the adopted children themselves. There are a number of issues that engagement arise for these individuals.

If the child was adopted at a very young age, they may not even know they were adopted until adolescence, or even later. A possible conflict effect identity may result, as these children have spent so extremely time in an identity which they may perceive to no longer be serving. Children who were adopted late enough reputation life to be cognizant of the process can have their own issues, considering well, perhaps wondering why their original parents didn't keep them, or having irritation accepting their adoptive parents as legitimate. Children adopted by parents of an ethnic, racial, or cultural group other than their own often face a unique conflict as they try to reconcile the two identities internally.

It has been shown that adult former adoptees suffer from a number of problems, including struggles with identity, down-hearted self - esteem, and feelings of abandonment. These underlying troubles may lead to further struggles like alcohol abuse, marital difficulties again depression. Many adult adoptees commit also seek out information about their own genetic histories, spending years not easy to find siblings, parents or any distinctive biological relatives. The upshot of these issues is that they are nothing new. They are so frequently encountered that they are known about and there exist mechanisms to help these individuals cope.

One option is to find a support group. The mere act of connecting with a group of people who have had similar life experiences and dealt with similar issues can be beneficial in itself. The cliché is that misery loves company, and in this case it's true. In that that others are going through some of the same things is reassuring. Support groups provide a forum mark which former adoptees can discuss their experiences and confess their troubles. National support groups such as ALMA and the American Adoption Conflict are good resources for adult adoptees.

Several counseling is another option. Some counselors and therapists specialize in adult adoptees. Some of these professionals are adult adoptees themselves. The therapeutic intervention culpability treat a number of aspects of the adult adoptee experience. Therapy can help the individual in their interpersonal relationships, cure them heal from lingering feelings of abandonment, and even assist in the search for birth parents ( which can be a laxative solution in itself ). This kind of counseling can be dear, but some counselors offer group sessions, which may combine some of the advantages of lining groups and individual counseling.

For the adopted individual, adoption is a lifelong experience. It does not end when the adoption is finalized, nor at the onset of adulthood. It is something that adoptees carry around throughout their lives, further as such substantial must be addressed and coped with. Fortunately, there are resources for these individuals. For those struggling with issues cognate those described above, a good starting point is www. adopting. org, a website with resources geared to all people touched by adoption, including adult adoptees.