[Nicole28]

Though all parents make mistakes, adoptive parents may be less likely to consider the possibility that they are doing something wrong, and blame the child's heredity. The parents may even compare their adopted child to a near-perfect, genetically-related "fantasy" child. This enables them to blame ordinary problems which all parents face on their child's supposedly "defective" genes. Thus, while non-adoptive parents are focused on nurture, some adoptive parents are solely focused on nature (i.e. heredity) instead. This results in what could easily be a resolved problem, going unresolved in families with adopted children, possibly accompanied by child abuse. [7]

This is from a Wikipedia article on "Closed Adoption." Here's a link: Closed adoption - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

WHAT do you think of the above? In my own situation, I am quite sure that my parents never thought "Oh, Nicole is obviously struggling with math because her biological mother or father must not have been mathematically-inclined," or "Nicole is clearly misbehaving because her biological mother or father were delinquents!" I understand that some adoptive parents may have been overly concerned with heredity affecting their adopted child, but I am a big believer in the idea that ENVIRONMENT can have more of an effect on a person than BIOLOGY.

This article also states that "healthy children adopted as infants are more than twice as likely to become emotionally disturbed,[6] and that adoptive parents are more likely to be abusive than in more traditional families. The adoptive father may even be emotionally unattached to his child, and just "along for the ride" to please the adoptive mother. Other difficulties include the lack of a genetic medical history which could be important in disease prevention. Often, this was not given at the time of adoption, and the father's history is usually largely unknown even to the mother."

Interesting, no? Only the last two sentences really seem valid to me. I am not going by statistics, but I'm willing to bet that adoptive families are no more likely to be abusive than biological families.

[BrandyHagz]

I think it’s one person’s opinion – likely backed by a study of some sort…remember, anyone can do a study and the outcome can be anything you want it to be.

Having said that – my parents DID say things like that. They embodied that statement like a manual.

I think the key word here is ‘may’ – although, in all fairness, I guess they should have quoted the whole “adoptive parents are better parents than biological parents” study that seems to be so prevalent on the net (and quoted by organizations that do not support or encourage an adoptees right to information).

Bottom line, it’s true – they may do those things. But then again, I may hack them to death in their sleep with a hatchet…

There are studies that show I might, ya know?

[Oceans]

But then again, I may hack them to death in their sleep with a hatchet…

Well, that explains what happened to Bob....

[BrandyHagz]

We won't be talking about Bob.

[Nicole28]

Ha - thanks, Brandy.

[crick]

Funny, because I'm the exact opposite thinking of wiki's words of the day.

I tend to blame myself MORE than bio parents (going off of my friends/families here, not this board) because I at times have this need to be more of a superparent to make up for their losses. Doesn't mean I don't consider some of the genetic elements, but mostly not. And since my dd acts just like me, uhm...I can't really blame her stubborness on her bmom now can I? DANG!

Afather - they obviously need to come watch my dh with our kids. 'Nuff said.

Abuse - ya, that's why so many kids are in foster care. 'Nuff said.

[hrisme]

I thought these stats, outlined in an article from the footnotes, were interesting! They support what I learned in my child welfare class, but what many adoption "professionals" are not willing to admit! Why does the NCA try and cover these stats up???

"Social workers noticed worrisome signs. Adoptees struggled with their identities more than most teenagers. Many had trouble with trust and commitment to good relationships. Among children who had been adopted as infants, had never been in foster care and had grown to school age, 41% had seen a counselor for emotional or behavioral problems, compared with 18% of their non-adopted peers, according to a 2004 study by Illinois State University. And 24% had enrolled in special education classes, compared with 9% of non-adoptees."

[Nicole28]

Adoptees struggled with their identities more than most teenagers. Many had trouble with trust and commitment to good relationships.

That's the only statistical information from that article that I can relate to or find to be relatively true across the board.

In NYS - at least the schools were I student taught - far more than 9% of non-adoptees were taking special education or remedial courses!!

[BrandyHagz]

far more than 9% of non-adoptees were taking special education or remedial courses!!

That you knew of. Remember, adoption isn't always disclosed. Also - our own personal stories only make up a very small percentage of all adoption's out there...like less than 1%. There are millions of adopted children (and adults who were adopted as children)...

Read some of the adoptive parent threads (or IA threads) where they talk about not disclosing adoption (and how horrified they are if they are asked) when enrolling their children in school. It's likely because studies like these - parents don't want their children labeled and disclosing adoption does that (mostly because of studies like these) - it's a never ending circle.

Besides, as I said before, most studies done (in my expereince) are biased and have a defined outcome, before they even start.

Sad.