It should be the responsibility of all prospective adoptive parents to seriously consider whether they can help adoptive children resolve their dilemma. And the best time to begin is before you accept the responsibility of a child. The way to begin is to look very realistically at who the children are who are available for adoption and why they are available. Examine their backgrounds and then let your heart tell you what you feel. The matter is not necessarily rational.
Adoption touches strong emotions.
It is a unique experience which raises a variety of questions, both of a personal and social nature, and those planning to become involved should explore these thoroughly to determine whether they can prepare themselves to meet the special needs which arise in that relationship. Much of this is more easily said than done, for there are no happy circumstances that lead to adoption. The very fact children need to be placed in adoptive homes tells us that something unpleasant has already happened to them. They may have been born of unmarried parents who were not prepared to take on the responsibility of caring for them. They may be the product of rape or incest, or an extra-marital affair.