The Nature of Adoption
October 22 2001
A new MORI survey, commissioned by British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), reveals that 1 in 4 people have considered or would consider adopting in the future. The research also reveals the surprising fact that, among those most likely to adopt, single and co-habiting couples are more likely to do so than married couples.
The survey also revealed the equally unexpected findings that families are twice as likely as childless households to adopt, and black people are twice as likely as their white counterparts to consider adoption. The explanation for this is thought to lie in the issue of post-adoption support. One quarter of all adults cite support after the adoption as a factor that would encourage them to adopt, including regular financial support, larger accommodation and support with difficulties, as the child got older. Some 12% of families with children, 12% of single people and 18% of black people cite the need for regular financial support.
Other BAAF research throws light on the business of modern day adoption:
- Only 2% of all UK adults have actually adopted a child.
- One in 10 adults has considered adopting in the past (13%).
- A further one in 10 would consider adopting in the future.
- The average age of adoptive parents is 38 years.
- People with children already are twice as likely to express an interest in adoption: 35% as opposed to 18% among childless.
- Some 10% of adults would be more likely to consider adopting a child if they had larger accommodation.
- Some 8% would do so if they had regular financial support.
- Some 7% would do so if they had support with difficulties as the child gets older.
Felicity Collier, speaking for the BAAF, said "These findings are important for adoption agencies who are trying to find more families for waiting children. This research clearly demonstrates how important it is for adoption agencies to be inclusive in targeting their recruitment campaigns at people from all social and ethnic backgrounds and in all types of family structures, as there is a particular shortage of families for older children, groups of siblings and black children."
She also added, "We are concerned that a third of adults aged over 45 years feel they are too old to adopt, whereas we know that older people often have the maturity and experience to care for children with a troubled past. The survey also reveals that in order to build confidence in potential adopters, agencies must provide support to these families after the adoption."
This research has been conducted at a time when the government is aiming to increase adoption by 40% by 2004. BAAF estimates 5,000 new adoptive parents will be needed to cut waiting times for children and meet these targets. At present, 5,000 children nationwide are waiting for a suitable adoptive family.
MORI conducted this research during the Autumn 2001 on a representative sample of British adults.
All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.
