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CLINTON LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY
THE
EVAN B. DONALDSON
ADOPTION
INSTITUTE
THE
EAST 04TH STREET NEW YORK NEW YORK 10128 11 212 360 0280 FAX 212 360 0283
EVAN B . DONALDSON
ADOPTION
INSTITUTE
Ms. Jennifer Klein
The White House
2nd floor West Wing
Washington, D.C. 20502
October 29, 1997
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you so much for taking the time to call me back. We are delighted at your
interest in this new survey. We believe the information is quite significant and will
be very helpful to those formulating adoption policy as well as to those involved in
outreach and public education.
President and Mrs. Clinton have consistently shown not only great interest, but real
concern and understanding for the issues and challenges facing this country related
to adoption. We understand that early in November President Clinton will issue a
proclamation declaring November to be National Adoption Month.
As you can see from the enclosed media package, the release of our survey is
embargoed until 9 am on Wednesday, November 5. While we feel it is critically
important to maintain this embargo, we would be happy to work with you in
anyway to incorporate the survey results into the White House activities related to
National Adoption Month. Perhaps, the President would want to refer to the
survey results in his proclamation.
After you have had an opportunity to review this material, we can have a more
informed discussion concerning your interest.
Sincerely yours,
Madelyn Free Freundlich
Executive Director
kn: MF
Encl.
THE
6 EAST 94TH STREET NEW YORK NEW YORK 10128 TEL 212 360 0280 FAX 212 360 0283
EVAN B. DONALDSON
ADOPTION
INSTITUTE
FOR RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 9:00 a.m.
First National Survey on Americans' Attitudes On Adoption
Indicates Widespread Ambivalence, Highlights Need for Education
Contact:
Jamie Moss
Madelyn Freundlich
(201) 493-1027
(212) 360-0270
An unprecedented national survey released today reveals that while most
Americans view adoption very favorably or somewhat favorably (90%), many
Americans (64%) have never considered adopting a child and about half (49%)
believe that adoption is not quite as good as raising one's own biological child.
"The survey illustrates the public's ambivalence and the need for more education
on the issue," according to Madelyn Freundlich, executive director of The Evan B.
Donaldson Adoption Institute. "The implications of these findings pose significant
problems for children who need adoptive homes, as well as major challenges for
professionals in the adoption and social service arena."
"One disturbing outcome of the survey is the extent to which we see attitudes
toward adoption are significantly related to education, race, and personal experience
with adoption," Freundlich says. "The survey results indicate to us that important
sectors of American society are ambivalent about adoption and may not see how
critical it is for tens of thousands of children in this country who need adoptive
families. On the positive side however, for the first time, it also provides data on
which to base policy decisions, allocate resources and focus on public education."
According to the survey, the U.S. population generally divides into one of three
categories:
Full Supporters (32%) express unqualified support for adoption.
Qualified Supporters (37%) have mostly positive opinions about the
institution, but some hesitancy to fully embrace it.
Marginal Supporters (31%) generally are more supportive than not, but less
convinced than others of adoption's merits.
Other findings of the survey include:
Six in ten Americans (58%) have had personal experience with adoption. Those with
first-hand experience are more supportive of the institution than those without such
experience.
College educated Americans (48%) are more likely than those with a high school
education (23%) to be Full Supporters of adoption.
Women embrace adoption more fully than men. 36% of women are Full Supporters
compared with 27% of men.
Whites (35%) are three times as likely as blacks (11%) to be Full Supporters of adoption.
Nearly half (45%) of Americans say family and friends are their main source of
information about adoption, while 30% get their information from news sources and
16% from magazines.
Half (52%) of those surveyed believe children adopted from other countries are more
likely than children adopted in this country to have emotional problems, and nearly the
same proportion (48%) say children from abroad are less likely to be physically healthy.
On the other hand, Americans do not believe that children adopted internationally are
any more likely to have trouble in school than children adopted in this country.
Curtis R. Welling, president of the board of The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption
Institute and an adoptive parent says, "With these survey results in mind, we need
to embark on a public education initiative to educate and provide balanced
information about adoption. Adoption has been an important service for children
whose birth parents cannot rear them and will remain so only if adoption is viewed
positively by prospective adoptive parents."
"Despite the prevailing myth that there is a shortage of children awaiting adoption,
the fact is that many children languish in the foster care system for years,"
Freundlich says. "If we are to place these children without parents in loving homes
we need to educate segments of society who are not embracing adoption."
The Benchmark Adoption Survey commissioned by The Evan B. Donaldson
Adoption Institute in New York was conducted by Princeton Survey Research
Associates. The probability survey conducted in July of 1,554 Americans drew
responses from the general population including an over-sample of African-
Americans. The margin of error attributable to sampling and other random effects is
plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute was established in New York in August
1996 as an independent, not-for-profit institute. Its mission is to improve the quality
of information about adoption, enhance the understanding and perception of
adoption, and advance adoption policy and practice based on reliable information.
The survey will be used as the basis of the Institute's programs and initiatives for
the coming year.
BENCHMARK ADOPTION SURVEY
REPORT ON THE FINDINGS
Conducted for:
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
Conducted by:
Princeton Survey Research Associates
November 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
i
FINDINGS IN DETAIL
Section I:
Adoption as an Institution
1
Section II:
The Adoption Triad
5
Section III:
Experience and Sources of Information about Adoption
13
Section IV:
Alternatives to Adoption
15
Section V:
Adoption as an Alternative to Welfare
17
Section VI:
Open Adoption and Searching for Birth Parents
19
Section VII: Gay and Interracial Adoption
21
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Virtually all Americans agree that adoption serves a useful purpose in our society, and
most have a favorable opinion of the institution. But many Americans, even those with very
favorable opinions about adoption overall, do harbor doubts about the institution. Half feel
adopting a child, while preferable to remaining childless, is not quite as good as having one's
own. And a quarter think it is sometimes harder to love an adopted child because the child is not
your own flesh and blood.
On the surface these data seem puzzling; Americans have an overwhelmingly favorable
opinion of adoption, yet only half say adopting is as good as being a birth parent. A more
comprehensive view of adoption attitudes takes these possibly contradictory viewpoints into
account. On this basis Americans divide into three groups according to their attitudes toward
adoption: 1) Full Supporters who express unqualified support for adoption; 2) Qualified
Supporters, who have a mostly positive opinion about the institution but some hesitancy to fully
embrace it and; 3) Marginal Supporters, who while generally more supportive than not, are less
convinced than others of adoption's merits.
Americans' opinions about the members of the adoption triad follow a similar pattern to
their assessment of the institution. Most say adoptive parents are generous and lucky, but some
believe they would have been luckier still to have had their own child. Adopted children, a
majority says, are well adjusted and secure, but some think adopted children are insecure, poorly
adjusted and more prone to behavioral and academic problems than other children. Lastly, many
Americans support birth parents' decisions to place children for adoption, but a notable minority
disapproves of decisions to do so, and some even see it as irresponsible or hardhearted.
Attitudes toward adoption divide starkly by social group. Less educated Americans are
more skeptical about adoption than others. There are also gender differences; men are more
uncertain of adoption's merits than women. Blacks are more skeptical than whites.
ii
These are among the findings of the Benchmark Adoption Survey conducted July 7
through August 8, 1997 for the Adoption Institute by Princeton Survey Research Associates.
This probability survey of 1,554 adults is the first in-depth look at American public attitudes
toward the institution of adoption and the members of the adoption triad. The survey also
examined opinion about open adoption, adoptees' search for their birth parents and adoption in
the context of welfare reform and teenage pregnancy.
Among other key findings:
Six in 10 Americans have had personal experience with adoption, meaning they
themselves, a family member, or a close friend was adopted, adopted a child, or put a
child up for adoption. A third have considered adopting a child at least somewhat
seriously. Those with personal experience are more likely than those without to have
favorable opinions of adoption.
Americans are divided over whether it is better for pregnant teenagers to place their
babies for adoption or raise them themselves. Americans also are divided over which is
better for the child in this situation, although slightly more believe the baby is better off
adopted than raised by the birth mother.
Americans are divided over whether the government should promote adoption as an
alternative to welfare. Asked about a California plan in which welfare mothers would be
encouraged to place their children for adoption, a slim majority oppose this plan, and
substantial minority support it. Americans are somewhat more supportive of the plan for
pregnant teenagers.
The public is ambivalent about open adoption, that is, adoption in which birth parents
maintain some contact with the child they have placed for adoption. Most Americans
think it is a good idea, but only in a limited number of cases. One in five feel it is always
iii
think it is a good idea, but only in a limited number of cases. One in five feel it is always
a bad idea for birth mothers to maintain contact with the children they have placed for
adoption.
Americans also have mixed views about the consequences of adoptees searching for and
finding their birth parents. In the public's eyes, adoptees are the most likely of the triad to
benefit from contacting their birth parents. There is more skepticism about whether
adoptive and birth parents benefit.
Perhaps in reaction to an increase in media stories about international adoptions gone
awry, many are skeptical about the prospects for children adopted overseas. Many
Americans feel these children are more prone to physical illness and emotional problems
than children adopted in the United States. In contrast, Americans are more hopeful than
not about the academic promise of children adopted internationally.
Methodological Statement
This survey is based on telephone interviews with a representative sample of 1,554 adults
18 and older, living in telephone households in the continental United States, including an
oversample of 50 African-Americans. The sample data were weighted, using parameters from
the most recently available Census data (the Current Population Survey, March 1996), to bring
the sample characteristics into alignment with the demographics of the 18 and older population
of adults in the continental United States. The interviewing took place from July 7, through
August 8, 1997.
For results based on the total sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error
attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus 3 percentage points. In
addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting telephone
surveys can introduce error or bias into the finding of opinion polls.
FINDINGS IN DETAIL
Section I: Adoption as an Institution
Adoption Positive and Useful
Overall Opinion of Adoption
Most Americans say they have a
In general, do you have a very favorable opinion of
favorable opinion of adoption and think it
adoption, a somewhat favorable opinion, a somewhat
serves a useful purpose in society. A slim
unfavorable opinion, or a very unfavorable opinion of
adoption?
majority (56%) voices a very favorable
Very favorable
56%
opinion and a third (34%) express a
Somewhat favorable
34
Somewhat unfavorable
4
somewhat favorable opinion of adoption. A
Very unfavorable
4
Don't know
2
small minority (8%) sees adoption in a less
positive light, offering an unfavorable
Now I'm going to read you a set of statements. For
each please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat
opinion. The American public is even more
agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with
each statement: Adoption serves a useful purpose in
convinced of the utility of adoption.
our society.
Virtually all Americans strongly (78%) or
Strongly agree
78%
Somewhat agree
17
somewhat (17%) agree that adoption serves a
Somewhat disagree
2
Strongly disagree
2
useful purpose in society.
Don't know
1
But Less Desirable than "Own" Child
Adoption Compared to Biological Child
At the same time, however, many
Now I'm going to read you a set of statements. For
each please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat
Americans express reservations about
agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with
each statement: Adoption is better than being
adoption when asked to compare adopting a
childless. but it is not quite as good as having one's
own child.
child to having one's "own" child. Half
Strongly agree
21%
(50%) believe adoption is better than being
Somewhat agree
29
Somewhat disagree
17
childless, but is not quite as good as having
Strongly disagree
32
one's own child. Half (49%) disagree.
Don't know
1
2
Full Supporters, Qualified Supporters and Marginal Supporters of Adoption
How do we reconcile these data? How can nine in 10 Americans say they have a
favorable opinion of adoption, but only half say they think adopting is as good as being a birth
parent? Americans support adoption, but many do not necessarily think it is the preferred way to
form, or add to, a family. Americans think adoption serves a societal need, but perhaps some
Americans wish this need did not exist.
In other words, none of these three questions alone tells the whole story. To say most
Americans have a favorable opinion of adoption or that most think it serves a useful purpose
neglects the reservations that half the country harbors. Yet to say that half think adoption is not
quite as good as having one's own child understates public support for the institution. The more
complete explanation combines these questions to yield three groups of attitude toward adoption
-- Full Supporters, Qualified Supporters and Marginal Supporters. All are supporters, but not to
the same degree:
One in three (32%) Americans is a Full Supporter. This group expresses
unqualified support for adoption. Full Supporters voice a very favorable opinion
of adoption, strongly agree adoption serves a useful purpose in society and think
adoption is as good as having one's own child.
Four in ten (37%) are Qualified Supporters. Overall, this group's opinion of
adoption is positive but it is distinguished by some hesitancy to fully embrace the
institution. Some in this group express a very favorable opinion of adoption but
think adoption is not as desirable as having one's own child; others in this group
voice a somewhat favorable or even unfavorable opinion of adoption but do think
adoption is as good as having one's own child.
3
Three in ten (31%) are Marginal Supporters. They are less convinced than others
about the merits of adoption. Marginal Supporters believe adoption is less
desirable than having one's own child, hold less than a very favorable opinion of
adoption and agree only somewhat or disagree that adoption serves a useful
purpose in society.
Support for Adoption Differs by Social Demographic Characteristics
Adoption attitudes differ substantially by social demographic characteristics, with
education, gender and race being the most important distinguishing elements.
Those with a college degree (48%) are notably more likely than those with only a
high school education (23%) to be Full Supporters of adoption. By contrast, the
less well educated (39%) are more likely than the well educated (18%) to be
Marginal Supporters.
A larger percentage of women (36%) than men (27%) are Full Supporters. Men
(35%) are more likely than women (27%) to be Marginal Supporters.
Race is another important factor. Whites (35%) are three times as likely as blacks
(11%) to be Full Supporters of adoption. Conversely, half again as many blacks
(44%) as whites (29%) are Marginal Supporters.
Married Americans (36%) are more likely than those who are unmarried (27%) to
be Full Supporters.
Four in ten (43%) Americans living in the western part of the country are Full
Supporters, while just a quarter of those in the South (25%) and Northeast (28%)
are Full Supporters.
4
Adoption attitudes do not vary by age, family size or urbanity. Young Americans are as
likely as older ones to be Full Supporters of adoption, childless Americans are as likely as those
with five or more children to be Full Supporters and urban residents are as likely as rural
dwellers to be Full Supporters. Political orientation also does not differentiate support for
adoption. As many self-defined liberals as self-defined conservatives are Full Supporters.
Americans Are Conflicted about Issues Surrounding Adoption
Although generally supportive of adoption, the American public appears conflicted about
specific aspects of adoption, such as: 1) the costs and benefits of adoption to the adoption triad;
2) whether unmarried teen mothers should place their babies for adoption or raise the babies
themselves; 3) the wisdom of open adoption and searching for one's birth parents and;
4) adoption as a welfare alternative. We begin examining these conflicted sentiments by
describing attitudes toward the adoption triad.
5
Section II: The Adoption Triad
The American public views each of the parties to any adoption -- the adoptive parents, the
adopted child and the birth parents -- distinctly and differently. Many of these attitudes differ by
the three groups of supporters, Full Supporters, Qualified Supporters and Marginal Supporters.
These data show that while Americans generally support the parties to an adoption, some
Americans have serious reservations about what these parties do or concerns about how they are
affected by adoption.
For the most part, Americans perceive adoptive parents as generous and lucky. Yet at
least some think these parents would have been luckier if they had their own children. Adoptees
themselves are also viewed in a positive light, although here too there is a less positive side --
some feel adopted children are more prone to problems than other children. Most Americans
view birth parents favorably and approve of their decision to place their children for adoption.
Yet some feel this decision is irresponsible and even callous.
Adoptive Parents - Lucky and Advantaged
Adoptive parents are the most positively viewed of the
Views of Adoptive Parents
triad, or at least they are seen as the member of the triad who
In your opinion, when parents
benefit most in an adoption. Almost all Americans see adoptive
adopt a child are they
families as lucky (95%) and advantaged (86%). Very few people
Lucky
95%
Unlucky
2
view their actions as selfish (4%). Furthermore, people believe
Don't know
3
adoptive parents get the same amount of satisfaction (46%) or
Selfish
4%
even more satisfaction (33%) out of raising an adopted child than
Unselfish
91
Don't know
5
a child born to them. Substantially fewer (17%) say adoptive
Advantaged
86%
parents get less satisfaction.
Disadvantaged
7
Don't know
7
6
But Will Love Be As Strong in Adoptive Families?
As many as one in four Americans question whether the love between parent and child
can be as strong and true in adoptive families as in more traditional families. A quarter (23%)
agree it is sometimes harder to love an adopted child, because that child is not your own flesh
and blood, although the majority (76%) disagree. Likewise, although a majority (67%) say it is
very likely adopted children love their adoptive parents as much as they would have loved their
birth parents, a third are less optimistic -- 25% say it is only somewhat likely the love will be as
strong, and 5% say it is unlikely.
Marginal Supporters Less Positive than Full Supporters about Adoptive Parents
People who are less enthusiastic about adoption in general have less positive attitudes
toward those who adopt.
Three in ten (30%) Marginal Supporters think parents get less satisfaction from raising
adopted children compared with two in ten (18%) Qualified Supporters and only four
percent of Full Supporters.
Likewise, Marginal Supporters are more likely than others to see adoptive parents as
disadvantaged (15% vs. 6% of Qualified and 2% of Full Supporters).
The biggest differences between Marginal Supporters and those who are more positively
disposed toward adoption, have to do with the quality of the love between parents and
children in adoptive families. Most Full Supporters (86%) and nearly as many Qualified
Supporters (72%) believe it is very likely adopted children will love those who adopt
them as much as they would have loved those who gave birth to them. Less than half
(45%) of Marginal Supporters concur. Moreover, four in ten (40%) Marginal Supporters
agree it is sometimes harder to love an adopted child because it is not your flesh and
7
blood, compared with only two in ten (23%) Qualified Supporters and less than one in
ten (6%) Full Supporters.
Social Demographics Differentiate Opinion about Adoptive Parents
As is the case with adoption in general, people's opinions about adoptive parents vary by
education, gender and race. The less well educated, men and blacks are more likely than the
better educated, women and whites to voice negative feelings toward adoptive families
themselves and to feel adoptive parents are getting shortchanged in the adoption process.
Likewise, the less well educated, men and blacks are more likely than others to say it is
sometimes harder to love an adopted child than a child born to you. Similarly, these groups are
less convinced adopted children will have as strong a love for their adoptive parents as they
would have had for their birth parents. These differences persist even when other demographic
variables are taken into account.
Views about Adoptive Parents by Demographic Groups
Total
Education
Gender
Race
No
Some
College
College
Male
Female
Black
White
Adoptive parents get less satisfaction
out of raising an adopted child
17%
21
13
20
14
31
14
Sometimes it is harder to love an adopted child
23%
27
17
28
17
32
20
It is very likely adopted children will love their
adoptive parents as much as they would have
loved the parents who gave birth to them
67%
61
75
60
73
51
70
8
Adopted Individuals - Well-Adjusted, Secure and First-Rate
Most Americans have a positive view of adopted
Views of Adopted Children
children. Solid majorities say adopted kids are well-
Next, I am going to read pairs of words
adjusted (76%) secure (68%) and first rate (70%). Yet
or phrases. For each pair please tell me
which one best describes your opinion
minorities up to a quarter see them as not well-adjusted
of adopted children
(14%), insecure (23%) and second best (20%).
Well adjusted
76%
Not well adjusted
14
Don't know
10
But One in Three Americans Predicts School and
Insecure
23%
Behavioral Problems
Secure
68
Don't know
9
People are divided as to whether adopted children
First rate
70%
are more likely than other children to have problems at
Second best
20
Don't know
10
school (35%), less likely (36%) or equally likely (21%).
And there is disagreement as to whether adopted kids are
more likely (39%), less likely (34%) or equally likely (19%) to have behavioral problems. By
contrast, people do not foresee adopted children developing drug and alcohol problems at higher
rates than other children. In fact, more people say adopted kids are less likely than other kids to
have such problems (39%) than say they are more likely to (28%).
Marginal Supporters More Concerned about Adjustment Problems than Full Supporters
Those whose support for adoption is most conditional, Marginal Supporters, are more
likely than others to see adopted children as insecure (36%) and poorly adjusted (22%).
Majorities of Marginal Supporters believe adopted children are more likely than other kids to
have problems at school (54%) and behavioral problems (57%). Those who express more
support for adoption, on the other hand, tend to see adopted children as equally prone or even
less likely than others to have academic and behavioral problems.
9
Demographics Differentiate Opinions about Adopted Children
People's opinions about adoptees differ by education, sex and race. The less educated are
more likely than better-educated Americans to view adopted kids as insecure and second best and
to think adoptees are more prone to substance abuse, academic and behavioral problems.
Likewise, men are more likely than women to question how well adjusted and secure adopted
children are. A larger share of men than women foresee behavioral problems, problems in the
classroom, and problems with drugs and alcohol. Similarly, blacks are more likely than whites
to hold these less positive views of adoptive children.
International Adoptions More Troublesome
Americans are decidedly less
Views about International Adoptions
optimistic about the prospects of
These days many Americans are adopting children from other
children adopted from other countries.
countries such as Columbia and China. Do you think children
adopted from foreign countries are MORE likely or LESS
These views may result, in part, from
likely than children adopted in this country to
recent media stories about troubled
Just as
More
Likely
Less
Don't
international adoptions. Half of those
Likely
(VOL.)
Likely
know
surveyed believe children adopted
Have emotional problems
52%
11
29
8
abroad are more likely than those
Be physically healthy
29%
13
51
7
adopted in this country to have
Do poorly in school
31%
14
48
7
emotional problems and the same
proportion say they are less likely to be physically healthy. But Americans do not believe
children adopted internationally are likely to have trouble in school. In fact, more say these
children are less likely to do poorly in school than say they are more likely to have academic
problems.
10
Most Americans Support Birth Parents' Decision
Most Americans have positive opinions about birth parents, and are supportive of the
decision to place their child up for adoption. Seven in ten (69%) say they generally approve of a
birth mother's decision and most view this choice as responsible (76%), caring (78%) and
unselfish (77%).
But Some See it as Irresponsible, Uncaring and Selfish
One in four Americans (23%) generally
Views about Birth Parents
disapproves of a birth mother's decision to place a child for
In general, when a MOTHER puts her
adoption. Moreover, a small but significant minority sees
child up for adoption is she being
this decision as irresponsible (16%), uncaring (13%) and
Irresponsible
16%
Responsible
76
selfish (14%). One in five (20%) agrees a mother who
Don't know
8
gives a child up does not love the child as much as one
Caring
78%
Uncaring
13
who raises the child herself.
Don't know
9
People's opinions of fathers who place their
Unselfish
77%
children for adoption are more negative. They are more
Selfish
14
Don't know
9
likely than their female counterparts to have their actions
And how about fathers, when a
seen as irresponsible (26%), uncaring (24%) and selfish
FATHER puts his child up for
(23%) and people are more likely to disapprove (29%) of
adoption is he being
their decision.
Irresponsible
26%
Responsible
66
Don't know
8
Full Supporters Most Positive about Birth Parents
Caring
68%
Uncaring
24
People who are most supportive of adoption in
Don't know
8
general -- Full Supporters -- are more approving of a
Unselfish
68%
parent's decision to place a child for adoption and are more
Selfish
23
Don't know
9
likely than others to see their decision as loving,
responsible, caring and unselfish. Conversely, those who question the institution more are less
11
unanimous in this view, though they are still more likely than not to view birth parents and their
decision in a positive light.
The Less Well Educated, Men and African-Americans Most Negative about Birth Parents
Again in-depth analysis shows cleavages within American society. Less well-educated
Americans, men and African Americans are more likely to hold negative views of those who
place their children for adoption than their counterparts. Here, in fact, the differences are even
more pronounced, especially where race is concerned. As the table shows, half or more of
African Americans generally disapprove of the decision to place a child for adoption, compared
with only about a quarter of whites. Furthermore, blacks are much more likely to view the
decision to give up one's child in a negative light.
Racial Differences in Views of Birth Parents
Total
Black
White
Birth Mothers
Generally disapprove of birth mothers' decision
23%
52
20
By putting child up for adoption mothers are being
Irresponsible
16%
38
12
Uncaring
13%
35
10
Selfish
14%
31
11
Birth Fathers
Generally disapprove of birth fathers' decision
29%
56
25
By putting child up for adoption fathers are being
Irresponsible
26%
54
21
Uncaring
24%
50
20
Selfish
23%
45
20
Birth Fathers Entitled to Say in Adoption Decision
A majority (79%) of Americans think the father of a baby born to an unmarried couple
should have at least some say in whether the child is put up for adoption, including almost half
who (45%) believe he should have a lot of say. Younger Americans see a larger role for fathers
in this decision than their older counterparts.
12
Americans Express Mixed Views about Placing Own Child for Adoption in Dire
Circumstances
A majority of Americans generally approve of birth parents' decisions, but they are less
certain they would put a child of their own up for adoption were they unable to provide for the
child. As the table shows, half the Americans surveyed say they would be likely to place a child
for adoption, and half would be
unlikely to do so, including more than a
Placing Own Child for Adoption
third who say they would be very
Imagine for a moment you had a child you couldn't provide for
unlikely to place their child for
and there was a loving couple who wanted to adopt the child.
How likely would you be to put your child up for adoption?
adoption.
Total
Education
Race
Americans feelings about
No
Some
whether they would put their own child
College
College
Black
White
Very likely
22%
20%
25%
15%
24%
up for adoption follow similar patterns
Somewhat likely
25
24
26
22
25
Somewhat unlikely
14
13
14
17
13
to their approval of birth parents'
Very unlikely
36
41
31
46
35
Don't know
3
3
3
1
3
decisions in general. Whites are
divided between those who say they
would be likely to put their child up for adoption and those who would be unlikely to do so.
Conversely, only about a third of blacks say they would be likely to put their child up for
adoption, whereas almost two-thirds would be unlikely to do so, including almost half who say it
is very unlikely. Similarly, better educated people are marginally more likely to say they would
consider adoption, whereas those with less education would be more likely to keep their child.
These data suggest some sectors of American society are more accepting of birth parents raising
their own children even in the face of difficult circumstances.
13
Section III: Experience and Sources of Information about Adoption
A majority of Americans (58%) have
Experience with Adoption
had personal experience with adoption --
Has anyone in your family or among your close
meaning they themselves, a family member
friends ever been adopted or adopted a child or put a
child up for adoption?
or a close friend was adopted, adopted a
Yes
58%
child, or put a child up for adoption. And
No
42
Don't know
--
over a third (36%) say they have given very
or somewhat serious consideration to
Percent Having Considered Adoption
adopting a child. But a sizable minority
How seriously, if at all, have you ever considered
(42%) lack personal experience with
adopting a child-- would you say very seriously,
adoption and two in three (64%) have not
somewhat seriously, not too seriously or not at all
seriously?
given serious consideration to adopting a
Very seriously
15%
child.
Somewhat seriously
21
Not too seriously
17
Personal experience with adoption or
Not at all seriously
47
Don't know
--
having considered adoption plays a major
role in shaping adoption attitudes. Almost
three in four (72%) Full Supporters of adoption have had intimate experiences with adoption
compared with less than half (44%) of the Marginal Supporters. Having given serious
consideration to adopting a child apparently fosters positive sentiments as well. Respondents
who have never considered adopting a child are substantially less likely to voice positive views
about adoption than those who have.
Experience with Adoption Differs by Group
Adoption experience varies widely by social characteristics. Just one in three blacks but
nearly two in three whites say they have had personal experience with adoption. Similar, but less
striking patterns prevail for gender, age, education and income. Women, younger people, the
college educated and higher income households are more likely than others to say a family
14
member or close friend has been adopted or has placed a child for adoption. Since these data
suggest personal experience and positive views about adoption are linked, those social groups
with less personal exposure may have fewer opportunities to develop positive sentiments toward
adoption.
Family and Friends Main Source of Information
A plurality of Americans says their family and friends (45%) are their main source of
information about adoption, followed by the news (30%), books and magazines (16%), and
movies and entertainment programs (6%).
Each of the three categories of
Main Source of Information about Adoption
supporters turn to somewhat different
What is your main source of information about adoption?
sources for information about adoption.
Adoption Supporters
Among Full Supporters a majority
Full
Qualified
Marginal
Family and Friends
55%
42%
39%
(55%) rely on family and friends, while
News
21
32
38
Books and Magazines
18
16
13
news (21%) and books and magazines
Movies and
(18%) place a distant second. By
Entertainment prgs.
3
7
7
Don't know
2
3
3
contrast, Marginal Supporters are as
likely to say their main source of adoption information is the news (38%) as family and friends
(39%). Among all three groups only a handful turn to movies and entertainment programs as
their main source of information about adoption.
15
Section IV: Alternatives to Adoption
Adoption or Raising Baby -- What's Best for the Teenage Mom?
Americans divide over whether it is
best for an unmarried pregnant teenager to
Unmarried Pregnant Teen Mothers: Raise Baby or
Place for Adoption?
raise the baby herself or place the baby for
Today many teenage girls get pregnant and don't have
adoption. Just as many think it is best for the
the option of marrying the father. Let's suppose a
pregnant teenager decides to have the baby, do you
teenage mother to place the baby for adoption
think it best for her if she raises the baby herself or
(37%) as believe she is better off raising the
puts the baby up for adoption?
baby herself (39%). One in five (20%) says it
Raise baby herself
39%
Put baby up for adoption
37
depends on the individual situation. Among
Depends (VOL.)
20
Don't know
4
those who have a more definite opinion, two
in three Full Supporters of adoption (67%)
favor the teenager placing the baby for adoption, while a third (33%) think she should raise the
baby herself. Just the opposite pattern prevails among Marginal Supporters -- 64 percent believe
the teenager should raise the baby herself while 36 percent favor placing the baby for adoption.
Here again, these data suggest the social milieu of some sectors of American society are
more open than others to unmarried teen mothers raising their biological children regardless of
economic circumstances. African Americans (69%) are twice as likely as whites (34%) to favor
teen mothers raising their babies themselves. Similar age, education and income differences
exist. Half or more of the young (18-29 year olds -- 50%), the non-high school educated (57%),
and those from low income households (under $20,000 -- 49%) favor unmarried teen mothers
raising their babies themselves. Only a third or less of the older (30 years of age and older)
(33%), the college educated (24%), and those from wealthier households ($50,000 and over)
(30%) concur. Men (42%) are slightly more likely than women (36%) to think it is better for
teen mothers to raise their babies themselves. And never married respondents (48%) are
somewhat more favorable toward teen mothers raising their babies themselves than those who
16
are or have been married (36%). Finally Southerners and those with a pro-life stance on abortion
are slightly more inclined to favor a mother raising the child herself than placing the baby for
adoption.
Public Divided about What's Best for Baby
What about the baby of the unmarried
What's Best for the Baby?
teenage mother -- is it best for the baby to be
And what about for the baby? Do you think it is best
adopted or be raised by the mother? Again,
for the baby to be raised by the teenage mother or be
opinion is divided, although slightly more
put up for adoption?
think the baby is better off being placed for
Best to be raised by the teenager
36%
Best to be put up for adoption
42
adoption (42%) than being raised by the birth
Depends
18
Don't know
4
mother (36%). Similar social demographic
patterns to those noted above prevail.
17
Section V: Adoption as an Alternative to Welfare
The current wave of welfare reform has prompted politicians to rethink America's social
safety net, and has lead some to wonder if encouraging adoption would ease welfare rolls. In
particular, California Governor Pete Wilson has proposed a plan to encourage welfare mothers to
place their children for
adoption. A slim majority
of Americans (54%) oppose
Adoption as an Alternative
promoting adoption as an
For Welfare Mothers
A state governor has recently announced a plan to encourage welfare
alternative to welfare, but a
recipients to consider putting their children up for adoption. Some people
say the plan is good because if these children are adopted the state would
sizable minority (43%)
be relieved of any responsibility for the children and the children would
grow up in more financially and emotionally secure households. Others
support it. Support for such
say the plan is bad because the state should try to keep families together.
a plan is stronger when the
How do you feel about this plan? Do you strongly support, somewhat
support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose it?
mother in question is a
Strongly support
12%
pregnant teenager. Two in
Somewhat support
31
Somewhat oppose
22
three (67%) would support a
Strongly oppose
32
Don't know
3
plan to encourage pregnant
teens who are unable to
And Pregnant Teens
The same proposal suggests that pregnant teenagers who aren't able to
provide for their newborn to
provide for their babies be encouraged to put their babies up for adoption.
How do you feel about such a plan -- do you strongly support, somewhat
place the baby for adoption.
support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose it?
Full Supporters are
Strongly support
32%
Somewhat support
35
as likely as Marginal
Somewhat oppose
15
Strongly oppose
16
Supporters of adoption to
Don't know
2
oppose promoting adoption
as a alternative to welfare. But, when the referent is teenage mothers, Full Supporters (76%) are
slightly more likely than Marginal Supporters (65%) to approve of encouraging teenage mothers
to place their babies for adoption. People who describe themselves as politically conservative,
who have higher incomes and the better educated are more likely than others to favor adoption as
18
an alternative to welfare. Those who favor adoption in this situation are also more likely than
others to agree with the statement "Poor people today have it easy because they can get
government benefits without doing much of anything in return." This suggests these sentiments
may be as much a reaction to the perpetuation of a culture of dependency as a reflection of their
adoption attitudes.
19
Section VI: Open Adoption and Searching for Birth Parents
Relatively Few Favor Open Adoption in Most Cases
Open adoption -- when the birth and
Open Adoption
adoptive families maintain contact with each
other -- has become more commonplace in the
Sometimes mothers who put their child up for
adoption maintain contact by occasionally sending
United States. Despite this move toward open
cards and letters. Do you think this is a good idea in
most cases, in some cases, very few cases, or no cases
adoptions, the public offers only modest
at all?
support for the practice. Less than two in ten
Most cases
16%
Some cases
40
(16%) say it is a good idea in most cases while
Very few cases
23
No cases at all
19
the plurality (40%) think it is a good idea in
Don't know
2
some cases, suggesting they feel decisions
about openness should be made on a case-by-case basis. The remaining 42% say contact is
seldom (23%) or never (19%) a good idea. This split prevails regardless of whether one is a Full
or Marginal Supporter of adoption. It would seem that open adoption has won only limited
acceptance even by those members of the public who unconditionally support adoption.
20
Public Lukewarm on Searching for Birth Parents
Perhaps one reason many
Americans are reluctant to fully support
Benefits and Costs of Finding Birth Parents
open adoption is the mixed views they hold
about the consequences of adoptees
Sometimes people who were adopted as children look
for and find one or both of the parents who put them
searching for and finding their birth parents.
up for adoption. When this happens, is this usually a
good thing or a bad thing for the ADOPTED
From the public's perspective, adoptees
PERSON?
benefit more from contacting their birth
Usually good
68%
Usually bad
21
parents than either the birth parents or
Don't know
11
adoptive parents. Two in three (68%) say it
When people who were adopted as children look for
is usually good for adoptees to find their
and find one or both of the parents who put them up
for adoption, is it usually a good thing or a bad thing
birth parents. Somewhat fewer (56%)
for the PARENTS WHO PUT THEM UP FOR
ADOPTION?
believe it is usually good for the birth
Usually good
56%
parents to be contacted by their birth child,
Usually bad
31
Don't know
13
and even fewer (44%) think it is a positive
event for the adoptive parents. In all three
How about the parents who adopted the person
When people who were adopted as children look for
cases, Full Supporters of adoption are more
and find one or both of the parents who put them up
for adoption. Is this usually a good thing or a bad
likely than Marginal Supporters to judge
thing for the PARENTS WHO ADOPTED THEM?
these actions as beneficial, indicating the
Usually good
44%
Usually bad
45
greater confidence and trust Full Supporters
Don't know
11
place in the resilience of the adoption triad.
21
VII: Gay and Interracial Adoption
Gay and interracial adoption were not explored in this survey because data on these topics
are available elsewhere. The data presented below show most Americans are opposed to gay
couples adopting children. Conversely, most have a positive opinion about interracial adoption.
Americans Hesitant About Gay Couples Adopting
A May 1996 Princeton Survey Research Associate survey for Newsweek magazine asked
whether it should be as easy for gay couples
to adopt as it is for heterosexual couples. A
Opinion of Gay Adoptions
minority (30%) said it should be as easy.
If gay couples are allowed to marry, should it be as
Most either thought it should be more
easy for them to adopt children as it is for
heterosexual married couples, should it be more
difficult (20%) or should not be allowed at all
difficult, or should they not be allowed to adopt at all?
(44%). Younger Americans, and those under
As easy
30%
More difficult
20
30 in particular, are more accepting of gay
Not be allowed at all
44
adoption than older people. Women are more
Don't know
6
open to gay adoption than men.
But Interracial Adoption has Public
Support
Interracial Adoption between
Interracial adoption, or at least
Whites and African-Americans
adoption between whites and African-
Do you approve or disapprove of a married couple who
is white adopting a baby who is African-American?
Americans, has broader public acceptance.
Approve
80%
The majority of the public supports white
Disapprove
14
Don't know
6
couples adopting black children (80%) and
black couples adopting white children (77%),
Do you approve or disapprove of a married couple who
is African-American adoption a baby who is white?
according to a June 1995 survey by
Approve
77%
Yankelovich for Time magazine and CNN.
Disapprove
16
Don't know
7
22
Methodological Statement
This survey is based on telephone interviews with a representative sample of 1,554 adults
18 and older, living in telephone households in the continental United States, including an
oversample of 50 African-Americans. The sample data were weighted, using parameters from
the most recently available Census data (the Current Population Survey, March 1996), to bring
the sample characteristics into alignment with the demographics of the 18 and older population
of adults in the continental United States. The interviewing took place from July 7, through
August 8, 1997.
For results based on the total sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error
attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus 3 percentage points. In
addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting telephone
surveys can introduce error or bias into the finding of opinion polls.
Legislation Currently Pending in the 105th Congress
The pending proposals are intended to promote adoption for children in foster care
and make additional improvements in the child welfare system. The legislation
would primarily amend child welfare, foster care, and adoption assistance programs
under the two titles of the Social Security Act that provide federal funding for these
services: Title IV-B (Child Welfare Services) and Title IV-E (Foster Care and
Adoption Assistance)
The two major pieces of legislation currently pending in the Congress are:
H.R. 867 Adoption Promotion Act of 1997
Passed by the House on April 30, 1997 by a vote of 416-5
Sen. 1195 PASS Act
Promotion of Adoption, Safety, and Support for Abused and Neglected Children Act
Introduced into the Senate on September 18, 1997
Hearings held before the Senate Finance Committee mid-October 1997
A vote on the bill is anticipated before Congress adjourns for the year
Both these bills elevate the safety of foster children over efforts to reunite them with
their families. This becomes a critically important factor for the system's ability to
place these children, as well as for the psychological well-being of these children
once they leave foster care and are placed with adoptive families. Both bills call for a
judicial hearing to determine whether parental rights should be severed (they differ
only in time period 12 vs. 18 months). Both require states to make a more concerted
effort to find adoptive families for children in foster care. Both provide financial
incentives from the federal government to the states to speed adoption.
S. 1195 differs from the House bill in that it re-authorizes and increases funding for
the Family Preservation and Family Support Program which is designed to keep
families together and reunite families after their children enter foster care. This
bill also makes more children in foster care with "special needs" eligible for
government aid such as adoption assistance and Medicaid once they are adopted.
This would provide additional support for families who adopt "special needs"
children.
Because of the differences in the two bills, if the Senate passes S. 1195, a compromise
bill will be required. The principal points of contention are that S. 1195 re-
authorizes the Family Preservation and Family Support Act and that funding would
be needed to expand federal subsidy payments to the states.
National Adoption Statistics
In 1992, the last year for which total adoption statistics were available, 127,441 children of all
races and nationalities were adopted in the United States
(National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, 1996).
It is estimated that currently about 1 million children in the United States are adopted. (Stolley,
1993).
Adoption and Children in Foster Care
At the end of Fiscal Year 1995, there were 483,000 children in foster care. This number
represents a 72% increase over the number of children in care in 1986. (Voluntary Cooperative
Information System, 1997).
In 1995, children of color outnumber white children in foster care:
45.1% African American;
36.5% White;
11.3% Hispanic;
1.6% American Indian/Alaskan Native;
1.0% Asian/Pacific Islander; and
4.6% unknown or other racial/ethnic background.
(Voluntary Cooperative Information System, 1997).
The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates this year that as many
as 100,000 children currently in foster care need adoptive families.
According to one study, children in foster care wait for adoption, on average, between 3.5 and
5.5 years. (McKenzie, 1993).
The number of finalized adoptions for children in foster care has remained relatively stable over
time, despite the fact that the number of children in foster care continues to grow. In FY 1993 --
the year for which the most complete information is available -- there were 18,000 finalized
adoptions of children in foster care. These 18,000 adoptions represent only about four percent
of the total number of children in care that year. (Voluntary Cooperative Information System,
1993)
It is primarily younger children who are adopted from foster care. As children age, they are less
likely to be adopted. In FY 1990, for example, almost 55% of all finalized adoptions were of
children between birth and five years of age. About a third [37.4%] of the adoptions were of
children between the ages of 6 and 12 and only a small 7.7% of the adoptions were of children
between 13 and 18 years of age. (Voluntary Cooperative Information System, 1993)
In 1990
47% of the adoptions of children in foster care were by foster parents to whom the
children were not related
7% were by relatives
42% of the adoptions were by families to whom the children were not related
(CRS Report for Congress, 1997)
International Adoption
The number of international adoptions over the past several years is as follows:
1992
6,536
1993
7,348
1994
8,195
1995
9,679
1996 11,316
(U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services and U.S. Department of State)
The primary sending countries for children adopted internationally in 1996 were China [3,318
children], the Russian Federation [2,531 children], Korea [1,580] and Romania [554]. (U.S.
Immigration and Naturalization Service and U.S. Department of State).
Infant Adoption
The rate at which women relinquish their infants for adoption has declined dramatically.
Between 1982 and 1988, 3% of white women relinquished their children for adoption, dropping
from 19% in 1965-1972. The rate of relinquishment among black women has consistently been
under 2% for unmarried births. (Mosher and Bachrach, 1996).
Who Adopts?
About 200,000 people are, at any one time, seeking to adopt a child.
(Bachrach, London, and Maza, 1991).
Research shows that only 11% to 24% of couples with infertility problems take a step toward
adopting a child. (Mosher and Bachrach, 1996).
There are approximately 3.3 adoption seekers for every actual adoption.
(Bachrach, London, and Maza, 1991).
Single parents are adopting in greater numbers. Prior to the 1990s, only a small percentage of
adoptions were by single parents - ranging from 2.5% to 5%. (Meezan, 1980; Shireman, 1995).
Studies now show that single parents represent a significant percentage of adoptions, ranging
from 12% in some communities to one-quarter or more in other communities. (Shireman, 1995).
Adoption and Search and Reunion
In only three states - Kansas, Alaska, and Tennessee - may adopted adults obtain copies of
their original birth certificates.
As of November 1996, mutual consent registries were in place in at least twenty-one states.
Mutual consent registries permit parties to an adoption to register their willingness to meet at
some point in the future, but they allow the release of identifying information only when a birth
parent and an adult adoptee both file formal consents to the disclosure of their identities.
(Hollinger 1996)
As of November 1996, "search and consent" statutes were in place in at least sixteen states.
These statutes provide that when a birth parent, upon being contacted by an individual or
agency acting as a "confidential intermediary", consents to the disclosure of his or her identity to
the adoptee, the disclosure may then be authorized by a court. (Hollinger 1996)
1
THE
6 EAST 0418 STREET NEW YORK NEW YORK, 10128 TEL 212 360 0280 FAX 212 360 0283
EVAN B. DONALDSON
ADOPTION
INSTITUTE
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute was formally incorporated in August
1996. It was created with a grant from Spence-Chapin Services to Families and
Children after an extensive feasibility study to assess the need for an Institute that
would focus on adoption information and awareness. The consensus was there
exists a critical need for an independent progressive voice for adoption.
The Adoption Institute, provides knowledge-based policy analysis and
development, promotes quality adoption practice, offers training and educational
opportunities for adoption professionals working with all members of the adoption
triad, provides the media with a more informed understanding of adoption issues
based on current research and data, and supports adoption focused research.
In addition to the national public opinion survey released in November for
National Adoption month, the Institute is engaged in compiling a comprehensive
compendium of the research on adoption. This written product will organize and
annotate the major empirical research on adoption since 1986 and will be available
in early 1998. In the fall of 1997, the Institute held a two-day conference for adoption
professionals on prenatal alcohol and drug exposure.
The Adoption Institute plans to become a clearinghouse of information and
research on adoption providing data to families, professionals and policy-makers.
The Executive Director, Madelyn Freundlich, is a social worker and attorney whose
work has focused on child welfare policy and practice for the past decade. She and
two additional staff members work with a 15 member Board of Directors made up
of adoptees, adoptive parents, birth parents and adoption and child welfare
professionals. The Adoption Institute is aided by a Practice Advisory Committee
and a Research Advisory Committee.
THE
SEAST 94111 STREET NEW YORK NEW YORK 10128 ITI 212 360 0280 FAX 212 360 0283
EVAN B. DONALDSON
ADOPTION
INSTITUTE
The Benchmark National Adoption Survey
Spokespeople
Madelyn Freundlich, Executive Director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption
Institute, is a social worker and lawyer whose work has focused on child welfare
policy and practice for the past decade. She formerly served as General Counsel for
the Child Welfare League of America and Associate Director of Program and
Planning for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
She is the author of a number of books and articles on child welfare law, policy and
financing. Her most recent writing has focused on the impact of welfare reform on
foster care and special needs adoption; interstate adoption law and practice; genetic
testing in adoption evaluations; wrongful adoption; and confidentiality in adoption
law and practice. Ms. Freundlich holds masters degrees in social work and public
health and holds a JD and LL.M.
Katharine S. Legg has served as the Executive Director of Spence-Chapin Services to
Families and Children since 1990. As Executive Director, she expanded the agency's
adoption programs to include international and special needs adoption and a broad
array of post-adoption services. She was instrumental in establishing The Adoption
Resource Center, a program providing workshops, seminars, books, and resource
materials for those concerned with adoption issues. Ms. Legg serves as a member of
the Adoption Action Network, a statewide adoption advocacy group in New York,
and is a member of the Adoption Task Force of the Child Welfare League of
America. Prior to assuming her current position, she served as Deputy
Commissioner of Income and Medical Assistance Programs and as Deputy
Administrator of Management, Budget and Policy for the New York City Human
Resources Administration. Ms. Legg holds a MBA in Economics from New York
University.
Curtis R. Welling, President of the Board of Directors of The Evan B. Donaldson
Adoption Institute, President and Chief Executive of Societe Generale Securities
Corporation. Prior to joining Societe Generale, Mr. Welling was a Senior Managing
Director at Bear Stearns & Company, Inc. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College,
Vanderbilt Law School, and the Amos Tuck School of Business. Mr. Welling serves
as President of the Board of Directors of Spence-Chapin Services to Families and
Children, Trustee of the Adirondack Council, and a member of the Wilton,
Connecticut Board of Finance. He and his wife are the adoptive parents of two
children.
THE
6 EAST 94711 STREET NEW YORK NEW YORK 10128 IF! 212 360 0280 FAX. 212 360 0283
EVAN B . DONALDSON
ADOPTION
INSTITUTE
CONTACT LIST:
Survey Spokespeople
Ms. Madelyn Freundlich, Executive Director
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption
6 East 94th Street
New York, NY 10128
Tel. 212-360-0270 or 0280
Mr. Curtis R. Welling
President of the Board
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
Tel. 212-278-6711 (Assistant Christine)
Ms. Katherine Legg, Executive Director
Spence-Chapin Services to Children & Families
Tel. 212-360-0201
Ms. Jamie Moss
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
Media Relations Advisor
201-493-1027
For questions relating to the survey methodology
Princeton Survey Research Associates
Dr. Mary McIntosh
202-293-4710