Adoption is a beautiful way to create families, offering children love, stability, and the chance for a brighter future. But how did adoption begin, and how has it changed over the years? From ancient civilizations to modern laws, the history of adoption is rich and complex, shaped by social, cultural, and legal influences.

In this blog, Tapestry Adoption explores everything about the history of adoption, delving into its origins, key developments, and the impact these changes have had on birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families.

The Origins of Adoption: A Practice as Old as Civilization

The practice of adoption has existed for thousands of years, with early evidence dating back to ancient societies such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. While the primary purpose of adoption in ancient times differed significantly from today’s motives, it still served a key social function.

Adoption in Ancient Civilizations

In ancient civilizations, adoption was often about ensuring the continuation of family lineage and securing an heir rather than providing a child with a loving home. In Rome, for example, wealthy families adopted boys to carry on the family name and inherit property, ensuring that their wealth and legacy would survive for generations. This practice wasn’t about child welfare, but about preserving power and social standing.

Ancient Egyptian texts also show evidence of adoption, often tied to the continuation of a family line. In Greek mythology, even figures like Hercules were adopted, reflecting how embedded the practice of adoption was in culture, even at the time.

Adoption and Religion

Adoption has also played a significant role in religious contexts. In the Bible, the story of Moses being adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter is one of the earliest and most famous adoption stories, illustrating how a child could be raised in a family outside of their birth parents.

In the early Christian era, adoption began to shift focus toward the welfare of orphans and abandoned children, especially during times of war or famine. Many early Christians took in orphans as an act of charity, laying the foundation for more modern understandings of adoption as a way to care for children in need.

The Middle Ages to the Early Modern Period: Shifting Focus Toward Child Welfare

As society evolved, so did the motives behind adoption. During the Middle Ages and into the early modern period, adoption became less about securing heirs and more about finding homes for orphans. While orphanages were established to care for children whose parents had died, adoption was still relatively informal during this period.

Adoption in Colonial America

In the 1600s and 1700s, as settlers established colonies in America, orphaned children and children born to impoverished families were often taken in by other families. However, adoption during this time was typically arranged within the community, and there were no legal processes to formalize these arrangements. The focus was often on providing labor to help on farms or in homes, rather than creating a family unit as we understand it today.

The Rise of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century brought significant social change, and with it, a rise in child abandonment and orphaned children in urban areas. Cities became crowded, and families that could no longer support their children sometimes abandoned them. This period saw the creation of orphanages and “foundling homes” to care for children without families.

It was during this time that adoption began to be seen as a solution to help care for orphaned and abandoned children. However, formal legal processes were still largely absent, and adoptions were often carried out informally or through religious institutions.

Adoption in the 20th Century: The Birth of Modern Adoption Practices

The 20th century marked a dramatic shift in how adoption was viewed and practiced, particularly in the United States. This period saw the establishment of legal frameworks, adoption agencies, and formal adoption procedures that prioritized child welfare.

The First Modern Adoption Law

In 1851, Massachusetts passed the first modern adoption law, known as the Adoption of Children Act. This law marked a major milestone in the history of adoption. As it was the first to prioritize the welfare of the child rather than the interests of the adoptive parents or birth family. The law required judges to determine that the adoption was in the child’s best interests. Which created the foundation for child-centered adoption practices.

The Establishment of Adoption Agencies

As adoption became more regulated, the first adoption agencies were established in the early 1900s. These agencies began to provide services for both birth parents and adoptive families. This ensured that the adoption process was conducted ethically and legally.

Adoption agencies were also instrumental in helping birth mothers who were facing unplanned pregnancy find homes for their children. As societal attitudes toward unmarried mothers shifted, many birth mothers were encouraged to place their children for adoption to avoid social stigma. During this period, adoption agencies worked to match birth mothers with adoptive families. Though this was often done through closed adoptions, where the birth parents and adoptive parents had no contact.

The Rise of Closed Adoptions

By the mid-20th century, closed adoptions had become the norm in the United States and other Western countries. In closed adoptions, the identity of the birth parents was kept confidential. Adoptees had no legal access to information about their birth family. The practice was rooted in the belief that secrecy would protect all parties involved. Allowing adoptees to fully integrate into their adoptive family without the emotional complexity of knowing their birth parents.

While closed adoptions were intended to protect birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families, they often led to challenges for adoptees. Who were left with many unanswered questions about their origins and identity.

Modern Adoption: Openness and the Role of Technology

The late 20th century and early 21st century brought about significant changes in adoption practices. These wer driven by social movements and advances in technology. Open adoptions became more common, and adoptees began gaining more access to information about their birth families.

The Shift Toward Open Adoption

Starting in the 1980s, a growing number of adoption professionals and adoptive families began to recognize the emotional and psychological benefits of open adoption. In an open adoption, birth parents and adoptive families have the opportunity to maintain contact. And adoptees are provided with access to information about their birth families.

Open adoptions can take many forms, from exchanging letters and photos to maintaining regular in-person visits. This shift toward openness has allowed adoptees to develop a deeper understanding of their identity. While also fostering positive relationships between birth and adoptive families.

Adoption and Technology

The rise of technology, particularly the internet and DNA testing, has dramatically changed the way adoption is approached. Today, adoptees who were born in closed adoptions have the ability to search for their birth families through online registries, social media, and DNA testing services such as 23andMe or AncestryDNA.

These technological advances have helped many adoptees find answers to questions about their origins, reconnect with birth relatives, and learn about their medical history. However, they have also introduced new challenges, as families navigate the emotional complexities of reunification after years of separation.

Adoption Today: A Diverse and Evolving Practice

With the history of adoption evolving, today, adoption has become a more inclusive and diverse process, reflecting changing social attitudes and legal reforms. Open adoptions are now common, and many states in the U.S. have passed laws allowing adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates.

International and Domestic Adoption

Adoption now spans both domestic and international borders, with families adopting children from countries around the world. While international adoption has faced regulatory challenges in recent years, it remains an important option for families looking to adopt.

Domestic adoption, particularly through foster care, has also become a significant aspect of modern adoption practices. Many children in the foster care system find permanent, loving homes through adoption, giving them the opportunity for stability and support.

Adoption in Indiana

In Indiana, adoption laws have evolved to reflect modern best practices, ensuring that both birth parents and adoptive families are protected. Agencies like Tapestry Adoption offer tailored support to help navigate the adoption process, whether you’re a birth parent considering adoption or a family looking to grow through adoption.

The Continuing Evolution of Adoption

The history of adoption is a testament to society’s changing views on family, child welfare, and social responsibility. From its roots in ancient civilizations to the compassionate, child-centered practices of today, adoption has evolved into a diverse and inclusive way to build families and support children in need.

At Tapestry Adoption, we honor this long history by continuing to provide ethical, supportive adoption services that prioritize the well-being of adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families alike. If you are considering adoption or want to learn more about the process, reach out to us today. We are here to guide you through every step of your adoption journey.