The Dream of a Forever Family

November is not just the start of the holiday season—it’s also a time to honor and celebrate the children who have found their forever families through adoption and the individuals who opened their hearts and homes to them. National Adoption Month provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness about the ongoing need for adoptive families and adoption reform, as well as the challenges that many children face during their adoption journey.

The History of National Adoption Month

National Adoption Month’s roots go back to 1976, when Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis initiated Adoption Week. This idea gained momentum, and in 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed National Adoption Week. In 1995, President Bill Clinton extended this observance to National Adoption Month, highlighting the nation’s support for children in foster care and increasing awareness of the resources needed to find them loving homes.

Since then, National Adoption Month has become a critical time to honor the adoption community and promote continued efforts to improve adoption practices across the country. In his 2024 proclamation, President Biden recognized the more than 100,000 children currently in our nation’s foster care system who are awaiting the adoption that could offer them familial love, a lasting home, and a stable foundation for them to grow.

Why National Adoption Month Matters

Beyond celebration, National Adoption Month also serves as a call to action. Adoption is a complex process that arises from the need to provide children with permanent homes, not merely to fulfill an adult's desire for parenthood. Even when adoption is the best outcome for a child, it can carry with it deep emotional wounds. Adoptees often face feelings of loss, confusion, and identity struggles. Adoption doesn’t erase the trauma of being separated from one’s biological family and it requires long-term emotional support for both the child and the adoptive family to navigate successfully. While adoption may seem like a natural choice for families unable to have biological children, it’s crucial to recognize that adoption is often the response to a crisis situation.

Many of these crises can be traced back to systemic issues like domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Unplanned pregnancies can result from sexual coercion or assault, leaving the mother unable to or unwilling to care for a child. Domestic violence can expose children to significant harm or rob them of one or both parents, requiring the children to be removed to ensure their safety. In some cases, children themselves are direct victims of abuse or neglect, leading to situations where remaining with their birth family becomes untenable. The ever-increasing number of children in need of placement is a stark reminder of the number of homes that could not be made safe for them. Adoption is not just about growing families—it is also about addressing the root causes that lead children to be in need of new homes.

The Greatest Responsibility

Adoption can be a beautiful and life-changing journey, not only for the families welcoming a new child, but also for the children who have endured so much and deserve nothing but love, stability, and care. However, it is crucial that adoption is approached with deep respect, and an appreciation for the ethical responsibility involved. Every child waiting for adoption has experienced loss and trauma, and it’s crucial they be placed in homes prepared to support their ongoing emotional and psychological needs. As we celebrate the joys of adoption, let’s remain mindful of the responsibility we have to uphold the integrity of the adoption process and provide children with the nurturing they need to reach their full potential.

According to the South Carolina Department of Social Services, there are currently 210 children in the state’s foster care system who are legally free for adoption and waiting for a permanent place to call home. Visit the SC Heart Gallery to learn more about helping these children find their forever home: https://lnkd.in/efQ9UPXZ