Adoptive Family

Adoptive families are expanded by the adoption of an infant or child. Adoptive families come in all kinds of dynamics, from single or gay parents to more traditional families or those with many siblings. Generally, at least one parent is not biologically related to the adoptee.

It's often thought that there's no bond that can go deeper than that between a mother and her child. However, just because an adoptee's adoptive family may not be his or her biological relatives, there's a bond that goes deeper than just the legal transition of parental rights. Very few adoptive parents actually say they wouldn't make the same decision if given the chance, according to a survey reported in the chartbook Adoption USA. That's not to say adoptive families will not face unique challenges despite their efforts to have a normal dynamic. Adoption is as much of the adoptee's identity as it is the adoptive family's.

To develop the adoptive identity of a family, there must be open discussion about adoption. Things can be particularly complicated by friends and peers if a child clearly does not resemble his or her adoptive parents. Sometimes this can interfere with the adoptive identity of an adoptee and family. It's important to have a community where the adoptee can explore both sides of his or her identity, be it racially or culturally.