Presents data on current adoption seeking in summary fashion and confines analyses to likelihood of ever having sought to adopt using national survey data from 8,450 women. Analysis on ever having sought adoption indicated that adoption seeking is primarily a function of desire for children coupled with inability or difficulty in having them.…

Uses data from Cycle IV of the National Survey of Family Growth to evaluate whether adoption is feasible pregnancy resolution strategy for African-American teenagers. Results indicated that existing data do not provide sound basis for conclusions about whether adoption can ultimately serve as alternative to early child rearing for larger numbers…

Obtained data on Canadian adoptions (1981-90) from adoption coordinators of all 10 provinces and 2 territories. Found downward trends in use of adoption as means of family formation across decade. By 1990, most infant adoptions were facilitated by private practitioners and agencies whereas older children were primarily adopted through public…

Presents data on adoption and characteristics of women who adopt based on a national sample of 8,611 women in 1976. Results showed over half the women who were married, over age 30, had never borne a child, and were sterile for noncontraceptive reasons had adopted. (JAC)

Presents data on adoption, adopted children, and children placed for adoption by women 15-44 years of age. Results suggest that the downward trend in the annual number of adoptions observed from 1970 through 1975 has leveled off. Racial, educational, and socioeconomic differences in placement and adoption are discussed. (Author/BL)

Summarizes research from the 1980s on topics of adolescent sexual activity, contraception, abortion, marriage, adoption, and childrearing. Emphasizes research about antecedents of adolescent sexual and contraceptive behavior because they are key risk factors in adolescent pregnancy. Notes advances in data and methods and highlights research gaps.…

Assessed short-term consequences of parenting versus placing for adoption among 527 young, unmarried, pregnant women interviewed during final trimester of pregnancy and again at 6 months postbirth. Both groups were relatively comfortable with their pregnancy resolution decisions. Placers were less comfortable with their decision, fared better on…

As adoptions have increased, they have become less concentrated among women unable to bear children, although these women are still more likely to adopt than are fertile women. About 4 percent of American women have adopted a child by the time they are 45 years old. (Author)

Examines link between adoption reunion and perception of adoption as social stigma through accounts of 60 reunited adult adoptees. Adoptees reported discrimination from others who questioned their unknown biological kinship ties. Their perception of self as more socially acceptable after reunion correlates with their view of adoptive status as…