Types of Adoptive Families in Florida

Written By: Erin Jones

Adoptive families come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and so on. No two are the same, which makes it impossible for adoption agencies throughout the United States to narrow down adoptive families to just a few types. There are, however, some types of adoptive families you will recognize during the Florida adoption process that are more common than others. 

Keep in mind that just because some types of adoptive families are more common that others doesn’t mean that the less common types of adoptive families are considered unusual or less of a family. When choosing an adoptive family for your child, focus less on what potential adoptive families look like on the outside and more on character, and who they are as people! Adoption Choices of Florida is here to help you with that.       

5 Types of Adoptive Families to Consider

1. Single-Parent or Two-Parent Adoptive Families

When you picture your child’s adoptive family, what do you see? Two parents? Maybe a couple of siblings? If that’s your vision, that’s pretty natural! Why? Because society has told us time and time again that child should be raised in a two-parent household. But again, adoptive families come in all different shapes and sizes, so don’t be afraid to consider choosing a single adoptive parent for your child. 

Today, raising a child in a single-parent household is just as common as raising a child in a two-parent household, if not more so. We as a society have also seen single parents do a great job! That said, we don’t want to discourage you from choosing a two-parent household, if that is what you feel is in the best interest of your child. All that we at Adoption Choices of Florida hope for and ask of you is to keep all of your options open.

2. Heterosexual or LGBT  Adoptive Families

As aforementioned, most people view a two-parent household as the norm. Most people also believe that the parents in a two-parent household should be married and heterosexual. That is, one parent is a straight male and the other is a straight female. There’s nothing wrong with a heterosexual, two-parenthood household, of course, but remember not to exclude LGBT individuals and couples when searching for the right adoptive family for your child. 

Contrary to what many people believe, there’s no evidence to suggest that the sexuality of a child’s parents has any negative impact on the child. In fact, children who are raised by LGBT adoptive parents are often much more likely to grow up being kinder and more open-minded. 

3. Transracial Adoptive Families

Transracial adoption is much more common today than it has been in years past. Just as it sounds, transracial adoption is when a child and his or her adoptive family are of different races, ethnicities, and/or cultural backgrounds. All kinds of adoption are beautiful, but transracial adoption is truly unique. Unlike individuals or couples who adopt within their race, transracial adoptive families often stand out, making them an easy target for racism, prejudice and stereotyping. Though it isn’t mentioned above, prejudice, stereotyping and overall negativity are a common struggle for LGBT adoptive families as well. Transracial and LGBT adoptive families alike must be prepared to face many difficult days and stand up for their family against people who don’t seem to understand that it is love that makes a family a family, not necessarily biology.   

4. Religious or Non-Religious Adoptive Families

Some adoptive families are more religious than others. If religion is important to you, it’s important to keep an eye out for adoptive families whose beliefs line up with your own or with the way you want your child to be raised. But if you find that you like an adoptive family who isn’t religious or who is of a different religion than you, be open-minded to that. Just because someone doesn’t necessarily share the same religion or belief system as you doesn’t mean that they won’t be good parents to your child. 

5. Younger or Older Adoptive Families

Most birth mothers seeking an adoptive family for their child prefer to look at adoptive parents who are a little bit older. Older adoptive parents are often viewed by birth mothers as having more life experience, which, in her eyes, will likely make them more mature and ready for parenthood. 

But before skipping over adoptive parents who are on the younger side, keep in mind that they’re in your selection of potential adoptive families for a reason. Remember that adoptive families are required to go through extensive background checks and thorough home visits before being approved for adoption. Your adoption team wouldn’t have included them as  potential adoptive parent(s) for your child if they didn’t think that person or couple was ready to embrace parenthood!  

Are You Ready to Choose Your Adoptive Family?

There are so many different kinds of adoptive families to choose from. If Adoption Choices of Florida were to list them all, well, the list would probably never end! But that’s why we wanted to include this last part. Although there are several types of adoptive families that are more common than others, we can’t not acknowledge the less common — but still completely amazing — types of adoptive families out there! 

All adoptive families, whether they fit into one or more of the categories listed above or not, are beautiful. So, as you’re searching for just the right adoptive family for your child during the Florida adoption process, try to be open-minded and remember that every family is different, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less capable of loving your child to the fullest extent! 

If you are a pregnant woman in Florida considering adoption, and have any questions or concerns about the adoption process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information on adoption, visit us at Adoption Choices of Florida or call us at: (833) 352-3678