About National Adoption Month
National Adoption Month first began as National Adoption Week in 1984 after President Regan proclaimed it so. The month is an initiative that brings awareness surrounding adoption issues, highlights the need for teens in the system to get adopted, and brings to the forefront the value of youth engagement. In more recent years, adoption for teens has seen more focused efforts as it’s more difficult for teens to get adopted over younger children. This is mainly due to the fact that teens in foster care can wait longer for permanency and are more likely to age out of the system versus younger children. Just like any child, teens also need support and love so ensuring they are in a loving home and have support will help ensure a stable future for them.
Each year, the Child’s Welfare Organization emphasizes a particular adoption-related topic, and this year’s topic is, “Small Steps Open Doors.” This year’s theme focuses on getting teens in stable environments and pursuing a forever home. Here’s how families seeking to adopt can help teens in the foster care system.
Adopting a teen
The best thing potential adoptive parents can do for teens in the system is provide them with stable, permanent homes. The adoption process for teens doesn’t differ much from adolescents. You would still need to pick what type of adoption you’d want, get aid and information through a lawyer or adoption agency, complete a home study, wait for a match, and finalize the adoption. What does change though, is that the teen gets a say in who gets to adopt them. Each state does something different, but most places require a child who is between the ages of 12-14 to consent to adoption unless a court deems them mentally unfit to make that decision for themselves.
Expenses increase drastically with teens versus children as adulthood is right around the corner. Things like cars, college, or extracurricular activities all add up for potential parents. Many resources and programs like the Pell Grant and other scholarship opportunities exist to help relieve any educational financial burdens for teens entering adulthood, but increased financial responsibility is something to consider before adopting a teen.
Although teens are physically more developed than adolescents, there’s still so much room for development as they enter pre-adulthood. They’re at a period where they’re physical, emotional, and social lives are changing rapidly, and they need just as much supervision and guidance as children do. The best thing adoptive parents can do for their children is to exercise patience and provide stability through consistency and understanding.
Interested in adopting a teen?
The adoption process is difficult as is, and adding an almost independent teen to the mix complicates that process. However, teens are still children and require the time, attention, and guidance any child needs. Adopting a teen allows parents to skip the early stages of child-rearing and allows you to develop a relationship with someone who wants to be a part of your life and you theirs. Just because they’re older, doesn’t mean adoption isn’t worth it. This is a time in everyone’s lives where you can form strong and loving relationships. If you’re interested in adoption in Texas, our firm has a team of experienced attorneys able to help you through that process. Contact us today to learn more.
