Private domestic adoption in the United States has changed considerably from the 1970s to today. Recently, The National Council For Adoption (NCFA), in partnership with ValienteAmor, completed a nationwide survey of over 1400 birth parents, to explore their experiences with adoption and gain meaningful insights.
It’s important for us to understand that no two birth parents are alike, and that we need to first understand who we are supporting in order to provide them the resources and tools they need.
View the full research study here: “Profiles in Adoption: Birth Parent Experiences”.
Average Age at Time of Adoption Placement
There were a broad range of ages of the birth parents who participated in this study, from 10 years old at placement to 49 years old.
Racial & Ethnic Demographic Characteristics of Survey Respondents
The racial and ethnic makeup of birth parents is varied. According to this study, a vast majority of birth parents are White (non-Hispanic) with the second-largest group being Black (non-Hispanic).
Education Demographic Characteristics of Survey Respondents
Again, there were a variety of different education levels of the birth parents who participated. The majority had an associate degree or had attended some college, with the second-largest group having obtained a Bachelor’s degree.
It’s incredibly important for us to check our biases and understand how unique each and every birth parent is. We encourage you to enter each conversation with a birth or expectant parent with an open mind and open heart.