Post by Yada on Jun 3, 2007 9:53:03 GMT
You may remember that, a while back, Angelina Jolie came out saying that adoptive parents are more fit to raise their kids than biological parents. A new study published in the American Sociological Review appears to support her contention. The study found that adoptive parents spend more money on their kids, read to them more, are more likely to eat together, and even discuss their problems more.
“One of the reasons adoptive parents invest more is that they really want children, and they go to extraordinary means to have them,” says Indiana University sociologist Brian Powell, one of the study’s authors. “Adoptive parents face a culture where, to many other people, adoption is not real parenthood,” Powell added. “What they’re trying to do is compensate. … They recognize the barriers they face, and it sets the stage for them to be better parents.”
Adam Pertman, executive director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, was appreciative of the study’s findings, but noted that “there are all sorts of families that are good for kids. Adoptive parents aren’t less good or better. They just bring different benefits to the table. In terms of how families are formed, it should be a level playing field.”
I think that parents — biological, adoptive, or any other sort — are the most important part of a child’s world. How they became parents, the struggles they faced, and any other facets of the parenting adventure are simply the flavors and spices that make each family unique. The important part — the meat and potatoes — is the love that families share.
“One of the reasons adoptive parents invest more is that they really want children, and they go to extraordinary means to have them,” says Indiana University sociologist Brian Powell, one of the study’s authors. “Adoptive parents face a culture where, to many other people, adoption is not real parenthood,” Powell added. “What they’re trying to do is compensate. … They recognize the barriers they face, and it sets the stage for them to be better parents.”
Adam Pertman, executive director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, was appreciative of the study’s findings, but noted that “there are all sorts of families that are good for kids. Adoptive parents aren’t less good or better. They just bring different benefits to the table. In terms of how families are formed, it should be a level playing field.”
I think that parents — biological, adoptive, or any other sort — are the most important part of a child’s world. How they became parents, the struggles they faced, and any other facets of the parenting adventure are simply the flavors and spices that make each family unique. The important part — the meat and potatoes — is the love that families share.