My Adoption Story: What's Life Like as an Adopted Child

My adoption story is the topic that I have chosen to base my essay as well as to reveal what is adoption in general. Taking the time to reflect on the life I’ve had so far makes me wonder how other individuals have experienced the adopted life. I know for a fact some are unfortunate to not be adopted into a good society and some are fortunate. However, I feel that no matter what family you come from and whether you have a family or not, we ourselves make our own identity. Adoption always has an impact, good and bad that we become affected in different ways.

Wikipedia’s definition of adoption explains that it is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person’s biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoption permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from biological parent or parents.

My Definition of Adoption and Personal Story

Being adopted means so much more than just papers being signed and parents being obligated to be responsible at all times for their child(ren). However, I personally feel and know that being adopted is a gift of opportunities. For me, it has been a blessed opportunity to experience life of being the only child, learning to be independent, follow in my parent’s footsteps and truly understand that I have been gifted with awesome parents that I am beyond lucky to have.

Every adopted child experiences life differently, some are unfortunate and some are fortunate and although it impacts our lives in so many, we are obligated to use the best of our abilities to make a difference in the present and days that are to come. It is up to us to truly make something out of ourselves and change for the future that each and every one of us deserve.

For this essay I've read some studies on family with adopted children. Studies say that “A child that has been abandoned or removed from the care of both birth parents can gain much from being adopted into a loving family. Adoptive families typically provide the children in their care with residence in a safe, supportive neighborhood, attendance at a well-functioning school, and love, emotional support and intellectual stimulation at home. These environmental benefits should enable the young person to rise above the loss of their birth parents and any adverse experiences and enable them to flourish.” Although every adopted child has their own take of what it’s like to be adopted, advantages and disadvantages are experienced by all. It is more likely for adopted children to experience hardship and go through a lot of problems than children who live with their biological parents. Academic performance is affected greatly as well, nonetheless it is the child’s will to rise above the bad and make use of all the good and take advantage of each opportunity given.

Several Advantages of Being Adopted

• Increased Opportunities

Adopted children are able to have good opportunities because of being adopted into a family that is financially stable. Their economic well-being is also taken care of in which their adopted parents are able to provide tangible advantages to the individuals. Example of this advantage is when adoptive children experience a family vacation in a fun location such as a resort of some kind.

• Large Family

They always say, the more the merrier. Being adopted into a large family brings more comfort and a rewarding experience as they have siblings to interact and socialize with, find lifelong friends and be more engaged with immediate family member in making memories, learning skills and so much more.

• Healthier Lifestyle

Studies say that adoptive children become physically healthier and well-adjusted. This is because they might have access to nutritional foods, healthcare and a supportive home environment.

• Having Time With Parents

Adopted children are able to have their parent’s attention most of the time, spending time with them and learning from their parents in order to benefit from their choices. Having one on one time with parents helps adopted children reevaluate their life and be better at decision making to gain independence and one day move on to bigger and better things that are in stored for them.

These are just some advantages that I was able to pick up in the studies, in which stood out to me and that is similar as to what I have experienced in my life. However, as much good as there can be, disadvantages occur as well. Some disadvantages are life teaching lessons, some are just pure cruelty and unacceptable but brightens are view of understanding and to be more aware.

Some Disadvantages That Cannot Be Hidden

• Identity Confusion

Adopted children will grow from time to time experiencing struggles with personal identity because of having no contact with their respective birth families.

• Transitioning to Parenthood

Couples feel pressured and forced to transition into parenthood and change their ways of living so quickly in order to meet the child(rens) needs.

• Tension Between Biological Parents and Adoptive

Problems can occur between the biological parents and the adoptive parents due to disagreements in which leads to restricted visiting rights or the fact that the biological parents would want their child back when they are strongly attached to the adoptive parents vice versa.

• Children Become Curious of Who They Really Are

At certain ages, adopted children will come to a point where they feel as if their parents are not really their parents. Then it leads the point where they become curious and ask questions in which parents have a difficulty in trying to address the truth while at the same time trying not to break the child’s heart or lose their trust.

There are much more disadvantages about adoption that could be mentioned. However, the most related disadvantage mentioned would be the last one. When I found out I was adopted, I was heartbroken feeling that I have been betrayed by parents for lying to me all these years and to come to find out that they weren’t my biological parents. Nonetheless, because I was young and not understanding of the situation I’ve come to know that it is the greatest gift I’ve been blessed with.

Conclusion

To simply conclude my essay, my adoption story is beyond a blessing and a life changing opportunity that has made me the person I am today. This process has mended my learning skills, attributes and attitude to bring about a personality that has a consistency of caring for others and their needs before mine, as well trying my best to make their life better than it was the day before. We make a difference by helping those around us and that they also may carry out the act of helping once they can walk on their own two feet doing big things and changing lives.