Bioethics/Sanctity of Human Life: Adoption Policy

Adoption has gained attention as an important act that promotes the well-being of children, families, and society. It can be defined as the permanent, legal transfer of parental rights over a child from biological parents to adoptive parents. Through adoption, adoptive parents gain the same rights and responsibilities as biological parents, and adopted children enjoy the legal, social, and emotional benefits of birth children.

Adoption positively impacts all those involved with the process. It provides birthmothers the assurance that their children will be raised in stable families, adoptive parents the joy of parenting, and children the opportunity to join a permanent family and grow up in a loving home. Adoption also promotes the social and economic well-being of our nation because an adopted child is less likely to grow up in poverty, more likely to obtain an education, and more likely to have an involved father.

For these reasons, Focus on the Family is passionately committed to not only promoting adoption among churches and families but also to advocating adoption policies that promote the well-being of children, parents, and families.