Where adoption is celebrated and the child’s best interests are at the heart of every decision

WHO WE ARE

The Adoption Coalition is a group of individuals impacted by adoption and adoption-related organizations, who are weaving together collective experience, research, and influence to make a significant impact in the adoption space.

EDUCATION

AWARENESS

COLLABORATION

OUR MISSION

The Adoption Coalition works to promote constructive conversations on adoption and offer a response to the increasing negativity on adoption that exists in the public square.

OUR WORK

We uphold adoption as an essential choice in creating loving families.
We enter public discourse in support of the most impacted parties.
- adoptees
- adoptive parents
- biological parents
We collaborate with individuals, organizations, and government.

OUR VISION

The Adoption Coalition envisions a world where adoption is celebrated and every child’s best interests are at the heart of every decision. We pledge to champion this vision tirelessly, working collaboratively with individuals, organizations, and policy leaders to ensure that adoption remains a cherished and viable option for building loving families.

TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A WORLD WHERE ADOPTION REMAINS A CHERISHED, VIABLE OPTION—OFFERING HOPE, LOVE, AND A BRIGHTER TOMORROW FOR ALL INVOLVED.

THE CURRENT STATE OF ADOPTION

Adoption is not a new concept in America, and more people are impacted by adoption today than at any other time in U.S. history. Despite most Americans expressing a favorable view on adoption, a growing anti-adoption narrative in mainstream media today threatens to change the cultural sentiment of adoption, describing it as harmful to adoptees and their biological families. This perspective, once considered radical, is gaining traction in both culture and policy. And if this negative narrative is left unchallenged, we believe public perception of adoption will shift and will consequently prompt changes in public policy to work against adoption as a vehicle for children to achieve permanency.

Several factors have caused an increase in the negative discourse surrounding adoption, prompting needed discussion and re-evaluation of adoption practices, policies, and societal support systems.

Concerns regarding the potential commodification of children in private adoption, where financial incentives could lead to exploitation or unequal power dynamic between birth parents and adoptive parents
Increased visibility of birth parents’ experiences and the complex emotions behind adoption, showing a need for better support systems extending beyond just the adoption process
Awareness of the systematic challenges and shortcomings of the foster care system, leading to doubts about the well-being of children in foster home instances of instability, abuse, and neglect

ANTI-ADOPTION TALKING POINTS

A belief that adoption disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and acts as a form of punishment by separating children from their parents simply because the parents were too poor and unable to meet the material needs of their child
A sentiment that birth families who voluntarily or involuntarily have their parental rights terminated suffer long-term emotional trauma, describing “termination of parental rights” as a “civil death penalty”
A shift of focus away from adoption to providing struggling families with an adequate social safety net that grants them access to affordable housing, mental health services, and job placement assistance to better provide for their biological children

Each of these challenges, concerns, and talking points are important and require solutions. Organizations related to adoption, advocates of adoption, and those impacted by adoption have been working to address these issues at the state level for decades.

Now, Protect Adoption seeks to elevate the work being done, promoting meaningful discussion around solutions that exist today and solutions that can make a difference in the future. Without drawing attention to and building awareness of adoption as a successful and essential option for children and families today, anti-adoption ideology prevails. But by rallying around and supporting leaders in the adoption arena, we can make a significant, positive impact in the adoption space and help to provide forever families for children today through successful, well-matched adoptions.