31 Oct National Adoption Month Part 1
What is It and Why is it Important?
November 1-30th 2024
Theme – “Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds”
National Adoption Month (NAM) brings awareness to the adoption process, the need for more families willing to adopt, and aims to improve care for adoptive children and families. The theme this year is “Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds.” The goal is to unify the community by working to increase awareness, improve connections and support, and validate the complex experience of adoptees and parents.
National Adoption Day is November 18th, yet the call for awareness extends through the entire month of November thanks to the Children’s Bureau’s involvement. A triangle with a heart intertwined represents the adoption trinity and is the symbol of Adoption Awareness, along with wearing a white ribbon during the month.
Making people more aware of the harsh, complicated, yet beautiful rollercoaster that is the adoption process is one of the most important aspects of this month. How do we do that? By talking about it. As it is a complex topic that can either be painful or joyful, fear of discussing the reality of the adoption process is what holds us back from making real changes. That fear and discomfort keep the condition of these children and family in the dark, when instead they need to be advocated for. The more we talk about it, the more children and adoptive families will have stronger support, connections, and awareness brought to them.
Why it Started
Centuries ago, adoptions were not talked about or done publicly. Once the Adoption of Children Act of 1851 passed, the domino effect began to change the way adoption works. The number of governmental court systems increased, advocation for children who have experienced abuse and neglect improved, and more homes for children to be adopted were found. All this was done with the goal of providing loving, permanent homes for children in need.
The adoption process has improved tremendously as we look at the present day. More awareness of and advocation for the adoption process will continue to allow the system to improve in caring for these children in need. That is why National Adoption Month celebrates these adoptive families and aims to bring awareness to the topic. There are still many challenges that need to be overcome to improve the system. If we keep talking and advocating for these children and families, they will receive better care and resources to find safe, loving, permanent homes.
This was part 1 of a 4-part series of posts focusing on adoption. Each week in the month of November, we will be posting a new article sharing more. Make sure to check out the next part of the series: “Fighting for the Cause” coming next week.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.