Positive Adoption Language

Choosing to use positive adoption language will help end the myth that adoption is second best. By using positive adoption language, you’ll reflect the true nature of adoption, free of stereotypes.

Below are some examples of positive and negative adoption language.

Positive ........................ Negative

Birth parent .................... Real parents
Birth child .................... Own child
My child .................... Adopted child; own child
Make an adoption plan ............ Give up your child
To parent ........................ To keep
Child placed for adoption ....... An Unwanted Child
Court Terminated ................ Child Taken Away
Child with Special Needs ......... Handicapped Child

(Credit to USA Adoptions.com)


Not only will you help rid the world and our culture of its negative or "second best" attitude towards adoption, you will also avoid the awkward moment negative language brings and possibly offending a friend or stranger. Let's learn this positive language and change our ways... ALL good will come of it!!