Impact of Adoption

Adoption is a lifelong journey — one that continuously shapes the lives of adoptive parents, birth parents and, most importantly, adoptees. Just as no two adoptions are alike, every adopted person’s experience is different. You may find that your adoption story has a significant impact on many areas of your life, or you may feel that adoption has not had many lasting emotional effects on you. Whatever your feelings toward adoption, it can be helpful to understand common adoptee perspectives on the issues and benefits of being adopted.
In the articles below, learn more about the long-term effects of being adopted and the ways in which your adoption may play a role in shaping your personal identity, your relationships and more. Discover how being adopted across races or cultures can further shape your adoption experience. Read about common emotional challenges that adoptees have faced, find tips for how to heal from any unresolved feelings of adoption loss or trauma, and more.