Approximately 127,000 children were adopted annually in 2000 and 2001, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway. These adoptions included international, domestic and foster care adoptions. Families give different reasons for wishing to adopt a child. Some families consist of parents and adoptive children only; others include biological children as well. Before making the decision to adopt, realize your reasons for wanting to adopt.
Infertility
Some couples find out that they are unable to have children biologically, and may choose to adopt a child instead. Primary infertility occurs when one or both members of a couple are unable to conceive children, and secondary infertility occurs when a couple has one or more children, but can not have more, explains Medline Plus.
Risk of Genetic Diseases
If a couple carries the genetic marker for a serious disease, they may choose to adopt rather than risk passing the disease to their biological children. In some cases, the man or woman may know that a certain illness runs in his or her family. Other times, genetic testing finds that one or both members of a couple are carriers. Sometimes a couple has one or more biological children with the disease, and would like to avoid having another child with the same problem.
Reduce Overpopulation
A controversial theory that may persuade some couples to pursue adoption is that the world is becoming overpopulated. Overpopulation.org asserts that too many children contributes to filling the earth with too many people. Some couples may choose to adopt children who are already born, instead of having biological children.
Non-Traditional Family
Those in non-nuclear relationships may choose adoption to complete their families. Single women, single men and homosexual couples often decide to adopt children instead of using sperm donors or surrogate mothers to help them have biological children. Another form of adoption is the step-parent adoption, which occurs when one biological parent relinquishes his parental rights, allowing the other biological parent's new spouse to adopt the children.
Desire to Help Children
Some people feel that it is their moral or religious obligation to help children. Others may become foster parents and decide to adopt the child in their care. Some couples may feel that adoption is one way to change one child's life, which is one step closer to changing the world, says MentalHelp.net.
