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Continue reading Single Parent Adoption

Hello,

My name is Joseph and I am hoping to get some helpful advice. I have decided to adopt and I am extremely excited about it. Unfortunately, I am only 22 years old and can not possibly financially afford to support a child. Also, I am single and only have a part-time job. Well, if you are still reading this and not wondering if I’m wasting your time, I will try to ease some of your thoughts. First, I absolutely love children! I have 5 sisters and 1 brother. I only work part-time because I am currently working on a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with a concentration in Special Ed. My part-time job is a fourth grade co-teacher. I plan on working full time in the fall of 2008, as I will be finishing graduate school. I am a very mature 22 year old and understand the great significance of adoption. I come from a loving family that would be perfect for any child. So this is where I can use some advice. Obviously, I am in no position to adopt a child now. However, I feel like I will be once I am out of graduate school and have a full time job, which will likely be in the next 20 months. What I’m trying to find out is if I will be ready at that time, or is that too soon? Also, what can I do until then to prepare myself for adoption, classes, books, etc.?(specific) Although I have given this a lot of thought, and discussed it with friends and family, I feel that I will have a difficult time convincing the people that will ultimately make the decision. Is this a worthy fear, or do I just worry too much? Well I guess that is enough information and questions for now. I have some time to further my knowledge on adoption and look forward to any and all feedback. You can email me at jjuhas1@LSU.edu Thank you very much for your time and consideration

It kind of depends if you are planning a domestic or international adoption. Most countries outside the US have minimum age requirements of 25-30, just depending on the country. Some countries will not allow a single male to adopt.

The US infant adoptions - while legally you can adopt at 18/21, most agencies are pretty strict with their requirements too. Mostly I see 25 being the minimum age, and they prefer a few years of financial stablility to consider you as a prospective parent. Doesn't mean you have to be rich, just means you have to have a stable consistent income.

If you are considering adopting a child from the foster care system, I think a lot of states have an age of 21. But again, they'll want to see the financial stability, emotional stability etc.

As for resources, it would help if I knew what type of adoption you are thinking of doing. There is a ton of info out there specific to domestic, international, fostercare etc., so helps to narrow it down.

A good place to start is..

http://www.adopting.org/adoptions/l...-can-adopt.html

Joseph,

I just wanted to say good luck to you. I am also a young male with no spouse who would love to adopt a child at some point in the next 5 years....I also see myself having trouble adopting as a single male. I am not gay or anything like that, I consider myself a decent looking person so I am sure one day I will have a child of my own with a wife but I see so many kids in the world with no family and i think, who am I to deny a kid a good home? That plus I was adopted myself by my father...

So once again I hope you find your way to adopting a child and the best of luck to you.