1851 The first adoption statute was passed in Massachusetts
1854-1929 "Orphan Trains" - Brought 150,000 children from urban areas in the East to rural areas of the Midwest and West. These children were literally put up on a platform at the stations so that the local folks could see which children they might want to adopt.
1930-1940 Great Depression, World War II, and start of the Baby Boom - Adoption becomes a more private matter, with private adoption agencies rising to the fore
- Adverse social circumstances became the main reason women considered adoption (as opposed to ill-health or poverty)
- Confidentiality was a chief factor for women considering adoption
- Removing the stigma of illegitimacy from adopted children
- Recognition of the permanency of the adoptive family
- Sealed original birth certificates
1951 34,000 adoptions
1971 90,000 adoptions
1975 Fewer than 48,000 adoptions
- Legalization of abortion
- Shift of societal attitudes about single parenting
1965-Present Critical need for permanent families for children
- Adoption had to adapt itself to new social forces
- Women's independence
- Challenges due to lack of adequate information and support to a single parent
- Need of the pregnant woman to make informed decisions about parenting
Present Fewer than 21,000 adoptions of domestic newborn infants by unrelated parents
What are your thoughts about this timeline of our adoption history within the United States?
This information was made available by the National Council for Adoption.
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