Do families actually adopt teenagers? ?

HappyMomAnna

I personally know several families who have adopted older children and teenagers. My husband and I have two adult bio children and adopted two siblings from Foster Care nearly six years ago--when the little ones grow up we intend to adopt teens... As we believe it is important to help provide a base for young people and a place to go for the holidays, life's milestones -- and difficulties.

In many cases, adopting a teenager is a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Of course, the "expectations" and family connections are not the usual but, providing a soon to be adult with a base of their own seems a small contribution to the future of one person...

Every year nearly 18,000 children AGE OUT of foster care and become adults with no place to call home... With no family to depend on and no where to go when life is difficult or amazing. These young adults have no one to invite to their weddings--and no one for their children to call Grandma and Grandpa.... Adopting a Teenager may not be the same as parenting a children from a young age--but, I believe that if it's possible for a family to provide for these young people we may be able to help end this cycle....

Many of the children in Foster Care today were born to mothers who were foster children. I have been blessed with four children I could parent... Two from the moment of conception, and one who was very abused along with her baby brother... I can't see any reason not to adopt teenagers down the road... When I am a Grandmother I hope to see the results of my parenting in the smiles of many many grandchildren.... I want to make a difference in the lives of children who didn't have a great start by no fault of their own.

Sometimes just having a family can change a persons life.

Sophie

Yes, although not as much as is needed. When you adopt a child, you become their parent for LIFE, not just until the child is 18. So, if you adopted a 17 year old (or an 18 year old legally able to do so in many states) they turn into your child... for the rest of their/your life.

I want to see my son go to highschool, college, turn into a young adult, have relationships, land his goal job, get married, have children... etc. (All that most likely happens after he is 18.)

:-))

Taylor and Tyler

They don't often. me and my twin brother are 13 and we got told when turned 11 that the chances of it happening now were slim. we've been up for adoption since the age of 6. my social worker says its harder to get boys adopted then it is girls and even more when its a teenaged boy. we're still hoping though. we live in England so we leave care at 16 if we haven't been adopted so then it'll just be us two andour social worker will help us get started with like a place to live and stuff like that. its a scary thought. to make it easier for us to get adopted they were going to put us up separately but we said we wanted to stay together. so i don't think it is likely that the girl you saw would get adopted but i hope she does. sometimes its just down to luck and waiting for the right family to come a long. foster care is hard me and my brother have both had 13 placements since the age of 5 and we just want one place to really call home but we've got each other which is more than what most kids have so we can't really complain. :P

sizesmith

It's rare at that age, but it does happen. What's horrible is, for friends of the child, the red tape and paperwork involved takes so long that by the time they are available for adoption, they're too old.

Our state has a great program put into place for all kids that are still in the foster program at age 16 and above. There are funds available for them to get a computer that will help them with research, etc for school, there's an adoption specialist who helps them get into an apartment, teaches them how to budget, shop, etc, and there are scholarship funds set up just for these kids. It's a great program, but it's sad that we need it for the kids. They also get a housing allowance to pay utilty bills, rent, etc, with close supervision to make sure that things do get done. They also get medicaid to pay for medications and medical expenses.

There's also a program called CASA (court appointed special advocates) where a person is assigned to the child throughout their being in the foster care system. It's where there's contact by phone at least weekly, and monthly or more often contact in person. It's a program for kids of all ages in the foster care system, and gives them an advocate who will work with them, no matter how many placements they have, and how many homes they're in. For those who already have kids, or don't want to adopt again, but could feel useful doing something like this, they can contact me and I'll help them get started.

The sad but true facts also, are that if kids don't want to get higher education, or if they fail because they get out on their own and party too much and don't apply themselves, they are given a small amount of time, told to get a job, and they're on their own.

Rowan

it does happen, but not too often. If she isnt adopted, she'll be aged out at 18, that is to say, kicked out of whatever home she's in. poor girl.

â™¥â™¥Ritaâ™¥â™¥

Yes they are adopted, sometimes days before they turn 18. Seen it first hand.

Not as many are adopted as needed. Sadly, many teens age out after having been in care for many years.

My state has an independent living program and if properly implemented then that teens worker has made the necessary plans with the teen so they can go on do well. Many already have jobs, they have been able to buy cars with grant money, they go on to college. My state makes sure their tuition is paid for either trade school or university.

They also have the option of signing themselves back in to care as they are often still in high school at 18...sometimes for a couple of more years.

I know this has not always been the case and I am sure it is not mainstay in all states.......

monkeykitty83

Yes, they do, but infrequently. Unfortunately that girl has only a very small chance of being adopted before adulthood.

When she turns 18, she will be on her own, and no one will be legally responsible for her. She'll be allowed to live wherever she wants-- including with her current foster family-- but they have no obligation to let her stay.

If she still wants to be adopted after her birthday and she finds someone to adopt her, adults can adopt other adults if both parties consent. It doesn't convey the same responsibility to the parent as adopting a minor child does, but it still establishes a legal parental relationship.

Adoption is forever, so if she is adopted, she will still be the daughter of her adoptive parents even once she is 18. Once a minor is formally adopted, the status in the eyes of the law is the same as a biological child.

It's possible this teen girl will be adopted, but sadly the odds aren't great. Most people who adopt want younger children. I hope she finds a permanent home where she'll be loved.

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