Adoption and Single Parent Families

Question 1

define: intrafamilial adoption

Answer 1

where a blood tie exists in at least one adoptive parent

Question 2

define: extrafamilial adoption

Answer 2

where there are no pre-existing blood ties b/w the adoptive parents and child

Question 3

What proportion of adoption placements are made up of special needs children?

Answer 3

“special needs” children currently make up at

least 2/3 of all adoption placements

Question 4

What is the number one characteristic of successful adoptive parents?

Answer 4

positive memories of their relationships with their own parents

Question 5

Common issues leading adoptive parents to have unsuccessful adoptiions?

Answer 5

• guilty fantasies of having stolen someone’s child
• extreme overindulgence, overprotection, rejection
• parental fantasies of the adopted child inheriting biological taints, ex. addictions
• unrealistic expectations leading to resentment when the aren’t met
• child they “rescued” fails to meet their excessive need for gratitude

Question 6

List reasons that adopted children may have conduct disorders?

Answer 6

• biological inheritance
• poor prenatal care from unmarried mothers
• previous neglect, abuse
• lack of continuity of attachment figures prior to placement
• experiences in the adoptive family

Question 7

Why is adolescent identity confusion is exaggerated for many adoptees?

Answer 7

1. prior interference with attachment undermines child’s sense of identity
2. continued presence in child’s minds of a fantasy of their second set of parents

Question 8

What is the best age for adoption?

Answer 8

age of adoption does not significantly affect outcome, but adoption should occur at earliest possible age

Question 9

6 Factors Related to Lack of Success in Adoptions

Answer 9

1. Children with a history of previous deprivation & multiple placements, esp within the first two yrs of life
2. Adoption of children with a diagnosable conduct disorder prior to placement
3. Children suddenly removed from a successful long-term placement with foster parents
4. Adoptions involving a child who retains a strong emotional tie to a birth or foster mother, unless attachment is respected & continuing access is allowed
5. Adoptions in which the adoptive parents have excessive expectations of the adopted child
6. Adoptions in which the child, as a result of previous experiences, has developed a well-established personality, ways of behaving, and/or exaggerated needs that interfere with acceptability to adoptive parent

Question 10

What is the number one factor consistently associated with single parenting?

Answer 10

economic disadvantage is the one factor consistently associated with single parenting

Question 11

In a stable, loving, single-parent family, is the child at any more risk than in a similar family with two parents?

Answer 11

no evidence to suggest this is the case, no greater prevalence of psychological disorders, no evidence that problems with sexual identity increase among children raised mainly by one parent

Question 12

What are the gender differences in the increased risk factors due to poverty on children in single parent families?

Answer 12

Boys: risk for psychiatric disorder, particularly conduct and ADHD
Girls: increased risk for poor school performance