are some kids better off being adopted?

My oldest brother was born "out of wedlock" in an era when that was a shameful thing. His mom (my adopted mom, ironically) wanted to give him up for adoption. However, her mother wouldn't allow it. Consequently, he was raised by a bitter, angry, mother who took it out on him. She was physically, emotionally & verbally abusive. He became a heroin addict, in & out of prison, estranged from the entire family for the last 21 years of his life. I can't help but wonder if his life would have been better had he been adopted. I know personally that adoption doesn't guarantee a "happy home life". My (adopted) mom was bitter and cruel to me (she reluctantly agreed to my adoption) and really to everyone, some worse than others. I'm just wonder from my friends here who know adoption what your thoughts are.

2010-05-10T20:58:12Z

Abortion wasn't a realistic option @ that time. My a.mom tried to abort him (threw herself down a flight of stairs, etc.) It really is tragic. Normally I agree in continued contact with the bio family. I met mine @ age 23 (I was adopted as a foster child). Both a.parents were alcoholics & I now believe my a.mom had undiagnosed & untreated mental health issues. It was the 50's, 60's & 70's. I know personally that adoption is no guarantee.

I'm also aware that many adoptees end up with emotional issues (& in prison) even when raised in healthier environments. Our family just learned of my brother's passing. Very sad. He was the eldest & I the baby. We had a special bond. Thanks everyone for your thoughts!

2010-05-10T20:58:14Z

Abortion wasn't a realistic option @ that time. My a.mom tried to abort him (threw herself down a flight of stairs, etc.) It really is tragic. Normally I agree in continued contact with the bio family. I met mine @ age 23 (I was adopted as a foster child). Both a.parents were alcoholics & I now believe my a.mom had undiagnosed & untreated mental health issues. It was the 50's, 60's & 70's. I know personally that adoption is no guarantee.

I'm also aware that many adoptees end up with emotional issues (& in prison) even when raised in healthier environments. Our family just learned of my brother's passing. Very sad. He was the eldest & I the baby. We had a special bond. Thanks everyone for your thoughts!

2010-05-10T20:59:40Z

don't know how the same paragraphs got posted twice!?

LindseyTaylor2010-05-10T16:40:25Z

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In the case of abuse, addiction and mental instability then yes, absolutely a child would be off in a better home with people who actually want them and are not putting them in danger.


In the case of flat out just not wanting a child...then a child would most likely be better off. I wouldn't want to be in a home where someone maintained the thought of they didn't want me...if the parent firmly believes they don't want the child then that's their choice and the child doesn't need to suffer.


If the case is the parent doesn't have the financial means or is scared...then no. That parent needs real help and should be encouraged every step to keep their family together..

A parent should be given every opportunity and every aide they need to stay with their children....


Adoption doesn't guarantee a better home or life...just a different one...

Carol c2010-05-11T13:32:35Z

Robin, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. It does sound as if he was raised in a toxic environment. But at least he was around other members of his natural family and didn't have that loss to deal with. The emotional and physical cruelty at the hand of your mother, certainly didn't help.

But I don't know that he would have been better off adopted. There's no way to tell.

I am a first mother who searched for and found my son when he was 21 years old, back in 1990. He was adopted by and raised by a very affluent family who later had a biological daughter. Outwardly, he appeared to be given every advantage and to my knowledge, I don't believe the adopters were abusive other than being emotionally unavailable. I mention him because he became a heroin addict and while he was never imprisoned, I confess to reading the obits every day in the city he lives in because I am not convinced he wants to or can recover.

Personally, in my son's case I think his having been taken from his first mother (me) who desperately wanted to keep him, set him up for all kinds of emotional and abandonment issues. Yes, it was his choice as to how much he wanted to work on these things and perhaps he might have turned out to be the same, but I doubt it.

Again, I am so sorry your brother passed and had such a tragic life. It's no one's fault though.

Anonymous2010-05-11T16:09:12Z

I really don't know, I was adopted at birth and now I'm 17. I have a great family and can't imagine life without them. I don't know anything about my Bio parents but despite what people say I can make an educated guess as to what they were probably like. I'd say I turned out better with my a parents than I would have with my bio mom/dad...but who knows? Honestly I think it depends on the individual and the situation, some adoptees grow up bitter and resentful that they were adopted and feel that their Ap's shouldnt have adopted them and others seem to turn out pretty well....

Jennifer L2010-05-11T16:22:27Z

Yes. If the parents are unwilling or unable to provide for the needs of the child (physicial, environmental, emotional, etc) then maybe adoption is the right option. I know a few people who were raised by very bad teenage parents who, in spite of having family support, just wouldn't actually step up and BE a parent. More than one has verbalized to me that he/she wished he/she had been adopted instead of being saddled by a parent who didn't want them.

?2010-05-11T06:33:14Z

Yes, some people aren't cut out to be parents as they either really don't want to be a parents or their lifestyle isn't good for raising a child. I don't particularly like adoption but I acknowledge there are times when a child is better off being adopted.

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