‘I’m a happy & loved Son, Brother, Father & adoptee. Living proof’ (Jason*).
This young man reminded me of why Adopt Change continues to believe in the enormous difference a permanent, safe, loving family can make for a child.
Sadly, not every child who cannot be cared for by their biological parents will get that experience. Adoption is at an all time low in Australia – over the last 25 years there has been a 76 per cent decline in the adoption of children. The latest figures published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that in 2013-2014, 317 children were adopted – 36 per cent of those children were adopted from overseas and the remainder were from within Australia.
Yet we know that there are more than 50,000 Australian children who were in foster care at some time last year and over 11,000 babies were removed from neglectful and/or violent families. Worldwide there are estimated to be 153 million orphans – approximately 18 million of these children have lost both parents and are living in orphanages or on the streets and lack the care and attention required for healthy development. These children are at risk for disease, malnutrition, and death.
Children who cannot be cared for by their biological parents should have the option of growing up in a safe, loving family. This is because it is the best thing for a child.
The research clearly shows that stable, long-term relationships help healthy brain, behavior and emotional development. Adults and children are ‘hard-wired’ to connect with each other – the day to day moments shared by young children and the adults who care for them affects the connections and the circuitry of the developing brain**.
When children don’t get this, it disrupts their development, and leads to an increased range of risk of emotional and behavioral disorders. The consequence for children is that they are less likely to graduate from high school and to develop healthy relationships – setting them up for an increased risk of experiencing disadvantage and social isolation.
There is now a growing body of research that shows adoption can work – it enhances stability, sense of security, belonging and firm attachments. Adopted kids are resilient and overwhelmingly the majority are doing well***.
For all of you who have adopted or are considering adopting a child,David Howe, describes it beautifully: ‘it is an uplifting tale of love which is unconditional, care which is warm, and commitment which is life-long’.
Everyone deserves that.
Adopt Changeis an advocacy group that believes every child deserves the right to have a permanent, loving family. Adopt Change believes that in the case where children cannot remain with their biological parents, that open, ethical adoption is a fine alternative to ensure that children have a safe, loving family at the best possible chance at life. Every child deserves that.
Adopt Change was founded by Deborra-lee Furness, 2015 NSW Australian of the Year.
Further information the Adopt Change website.
*Name changed for confidentiality reasons
