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Find Opposite-Sex Couples Waiting to Adopt [How to Begin the Process]

Whether you’re choosing adoption for your baby because you feel you cannot provide the life you want them to have or because being a parent doesn’t align with your intended life path, you’re making a brave and selfless decision. One of the biggest parts of your adoption plan is choosing the perfect adoptive family for your baby. Start by getting free information — there's no obligation to choose adoption. Or, view profiles of waiting opposite-sex adoptive parents here.

Whether you’re interested specifically in finding an opposite-sex couple to adopt your baby or the family you’re drawn to happens to be a heterosexual couple, here’s everything you need to know about finding the perfect opposite-sex couple to adopt your baby.

Why do opposite-sex couples choose to adopt?

Families come together in many different ways, and there are plenty of opposite-sex couples out there who choose to grow theirs through adoption. In fact, an estimated two million couples are currently waiting to adopt in the U.S., which means there are about 36 couples waiting to adopt for every one child who is placed for adoption.

These couples may choose adoption for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common is infertility. A study completed in 2002 by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) showed that 57 percent of women who undergo infertility treatments do consider adoption. If an opposite-sex couple does struggle with infertility, adoption is an amazing way to grow a family. This is not, of course, the only reason that a couple might pursue adoption.

Some families feel a strong call to adopt even if they can reproduce biologically, while others simply wish to be parents but don’t care about shared DNA.

Whatever your reason, American Adoptions works with many opposite-sex couples who are eager to adopt.

How do I find the perfect opposite-sex adoptive parents for my baby?

If you’re considering adoption for your baby, it’s because you want him or her to have the best life imaginable. How do you make sure that that’s exactly what you get, though? At American Adoptions, we’ll work with you to ensure your child grows up in exactly the kind of environment you imagine. Because we work with hundreds of adoptive families, many of them are opposite-sex couples. Your adoption specialist will help you answer a few questions to determine what families might be a perfect match for you.

  • Is it important to you that your child looks like his or her parents? Of course, since they won’t share DNA, there’s a limit to how much your child will look like the adoptive family you choose. However, some women prefer to place their children with families that share their own racial background and cultural heritage.

  • Do you picture your child growing up with siblings? Should the family have previously adopted other children, or do you envision placing your child with a couple who doesn’t have any children yet? Does it matter to you if a prospective adoptive family has biological children, as well?

  • Is there a specific area you picture your child growing up? Do you envision your child growing up on a farm in the Midwest or a high-rise in a coastal city? Because we’re a national agency, American Adoptions is able to work with families in every region of the United States. Whatever environment you want for your child can become a reality.

  • What values do you want your child’s adoptive parents to possess? If you hold more traditional values yourself, do you want your child’s adoptive family to mirror those? Is it important to you that your child be raised with certain religious beliefs? Political beliefs? American Adoptions works with families of many different backgrounds, so it’s highly likely that you will be able to find adoptive parents that place importance on the same things you do.

No matter what, we understand how important it is to you that your child be raised by loving parents. You’re trying to do what you feel is best for your baby.

“I knew I had done what was best for Theodore. I gave him the best possible future, filled with unconditional love, financial stability, education and so much more! He has a mommy and daddy who love him more than anything,” said Sara, a birth mother about her adoption experience.

How does American Adoptions screen prospective opposite-sex adoptive families?

When finding the perfect adoptive family, it’s important to know how everyone that works with American Adoptions is screened. We will never show you a prospective family who hasn’t undergone all of the following steps:

  • Conversations with a social worker to ensure that they are both enthusiastic and committed to growing through adoption. All families must have fully grieved infertility, if applicable, before being cleared to adopt a child.

  • Completes a home study, which is an assessment of a family’s readiness for adoption.This includes background checks, interviews with each family member living in the home, and a home inspection.

  • Agrees to exchange phone calls and photos with you (at a minimum) until your child is 18 years old. You can choose the exact amount of communication you have with your child’s adoptive parents, but since we recommend open adoption whenever possible, all adoptive families must be willing to maintain at least this amount of contact.

At American Adoptions, we’ll never show you an adoptive family unless we are confident in their ability to provide your child with the safe, stable and loving home he or she deserves. To get more information about finding an opposite-sex couple to adopt your baby, call us today at 1-800-ADOPTION. You can also begin your search for your child’s adoptive parents by looking on our website. 


Having trouble finding the perfect adoptive family online? Don’t be discouraged. American Adoptions is currently working with many adoptive families at all stages of the process — and not all of them are currently listed on our website. In addition, we work with a nationwide network of other adoption professionals that can help us conduct a wider search for exactly the family you’re looking for.

To discuss your preferences for an adoptive family and get help finding them, reach out to an adoption specialist by calling 1-800-ADOPTION today.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

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Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

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