News

Have you ever wondered why we hardly ever hear about babies being adopted these days?

True, some children are adopted by a step-parent to formalise their relationship, while others – fewer than in the past – are adopted from overseas countries.

Growing numbers of babies in out-of-home care

But very few Australian babies are available for adoption by unrelated adults, even though governments are facing growing numbers of young children who need permanent out-of-home care because their birth parents are unable or unwilling to look after them.

Rates of abortion – estimated by the Medical Journal of Australia to be around 88,000 babies each year – continue to alarm. These babies are not unwanted. Waiting lists are filled with childless couples who long to adopt and would make excellent parents, but almost all will sadly miss out.

New book asks a key question

A new book, written by Roslyn Phillips, asks the key question: “Whatever Happened to the Adoption Option?”

Some of you will remember Ros, who with her husband David helped lead FamilyVoice Australia for many years until they retired in December 2016.

Ros began writing this book during her time with FamilyVoice – assisted by supporters who sent stories of their adoption experiences, happy and sad.

Highly recommended

I have read her book and highly recommend it. It is a gold mine of information on adoption, including the history, biblical teaching, important research, personal stories, practical steps and costs.

One reviewer said she has lost count of the people who have told her they wished they could adopt, yet government policies greatly discourage this practice. In one tragic case, a young pregnant Aboriginal girl wanted her baby to be adopted at birth by loving parents, but was pressured to keep the baby and live with a homeless alcoholic aunty. As a result, the baby was brutally bashed by someone else who left him brain damaged, blind and partly paralysed.

Another reviewer said the book shows adoption is a win-win lifesaver for child and mother. It is a “riveting read”.

From the author – Roslyn Phillips

I began writing this book at a time when TV, newspapers and magazines were full of stories of adoption grief – mothers who had felt pressured to give up their babies; adults unhappy because they felt abandoned by their birth parents.

Government social workers were very critical of adoption, often believing that all babies should be raised by their birth mothers – or foster mothers until their birth mothers could cope.

I wondered where the truth lay. Growing up, I had several friends who had been adopted and were very happy with their situation.

So I asked a number of people to send me their adoption stories and those of their friends. Most were positive, but not all. Many stories are included in my book, along with gold standard adoption research and contributions from others.

Right now, too many children whose parents cannot cope are shunted from temporary foster home to foster home – with disastrous results.

I pray that the evidence in this book will help persuade Australian governments to save lives by rethinking adoption policies, giving many more children a stable, loving “forever home”.

Buy the book from FamilyVoice

The book is available from FamilyVoice office at a cost of $35 including postage. Please contact the office at office@familyvoice.org.au or call 1300 365 965. 

Peter Downie
National Director