Adoption is a whole new experience for all who play a part which includes the parents who bravely give up their child and also the adoptive parents who bravely adopt the child and also take good care of it. But we tend to overlook a very important group in this process-the adopted children. These children can face a number of problems.

The child, if adopted at a young age, may not be aware of the fact that he is being adopted until adolescence or sometimes later. At times rows based on identity may arise as these children believe that they belong to the family and it is difficult to accept that this is not true. On the other hand, children who are adopted at an older age can have other problems like thinking about why the birth parents gave them up or not being able to accept their adoptive parents. If parents belonging to a cultural, racial or ethnic group adopt children from a different background, it will lead to a problem for the child as he/she will try to identify with two within themselves.

The adult adoptee faces several problems that include low self-esteem, feeling of abandonment and also identity problems. These in turn may lead to depression, marital difficulties and alcohol abuse. This adoptee tends to find out information about their parents or other relatives, siblings or genetic history. Nothing of these issues is new. This happens so frequently to these adoptee and they have mechanisms that enable them to cope with the situation.

Spotting a support group can be a choice. Mingling with those who lead a similar life and face similar problems can be soothing to adoptee. We have heard that misery loves company and this is true in this case. Thus looking at people experiencing similar situations gives reassurance. These groups have forums which is a platform for this adoptee to share their problems and experiences. The American Adoption Congress and ALMA, some national support groups, can be of help to this adoptee.

The second option can be individual counseling. There are therapists and counselors who deal with adult adoptee. These also include adult adoptee. Several aspects of experiences of this adult adoptee can be treated by therapeutic treatment. This helps the adoptee with their interpersonal relationships, from feelings of abandonment and also helps them find their birth parents. This is a costly affair though, but there are group sessions offered by counselors that has features of both individual counseling and that of support groups.

Adoption is an experience that an adoptee has to live with. It neither ends with the finalization of adoption nor at the beginning of adulthood. Since it is life long, they have to find a way to get over all sorts of uneasiness. This is where the resources come to play .A website , www.adopting.org ,can prove to be a start for people facing such troubles, as it has all the that needed by the adoptee.



Thanks to Abhishek Agarwal for contributing this article to our Adoption blog:

Christian Based Adoption Agencies