Many Stereotypes Now a Thing of the Past

Have you wanted to adopt a child, but find yourself outside of what you consider the common demographic for an adopting parent? Maybe you are single or have a physical disability that limits your mobility. Maybe you’re gay or black, and afraid you’ll be discriminated against in the adoption process. Maybe you’re a little older and worry that an adoption agency will give priority to a young couple. There’s good news…many of the stereotypes that have long been pervasive in the adoption process are rapidly falling away. Instead, agencies are focusing more on placing children in situations where they can thrive. Here are some factors that no longer are an impediment to adoption:

• Sexual orientation—Most adoption agencies will place children with a same-sex couple or with a gay parent
• Disability—There are provisions in the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) that provide protection to disabled individuals who want to adopt
• Marital status—It’s rare anymore that an adoption agency will discriminate against a single parent
• Age—Most age barriers are informal and agencies will ignore them if the adoption is in the best interests of the child. These tend to be ideal situations for older children in need of adoption.
• Gender—Many men believe that they are less likely to successfully adopt a child, but that practice is rapidly changing
• Race—It’s fairly common now for agencies to place children with parents of a different ethnicity
• Socioeconomic status—Though adoption is still a potentially expensive process, there’s no requirement that you own your own home or that you have a specific income level. In addition, there are tax incentive, grants and other ways to defray the costs of an adoption.

Contact Our Office

To set up an appointment, call us in Haddonfield at 856-429-5005 or in Woodbury at 856-845-2555. We can also be reached in Philadelphia at 215-563-2150 or by e-mail. For clients with personal injury or workers’ compensation claims, we offer a free initial consultation, and will represent you on a contingency basis, only charging attorney fees if we recover compensation for you.

Our offices are open weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Weekend and evening appointments may be arranged upon request. We will also come to your home or the hospital, if necessary.