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Why more single women are adopting children on their own
Sula Kim
Anchor
Why more single women are adopting children on their own
SINGLE PART.EN AT THE GRIFFIN HSEOUHOLD, PLAYTIME IS THE BEST. >> I’M ALWAYS LAUGHING, SHE BRINGS OUT THE FUN IN ME SHE MAKES ME FEEL YOUN SULA: 38-YEAR-OLD EMILY GRIFFIN ADOPTED LILLY IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020, AFTEBER ING HER FOSTER MOM FOR ABOUT A YEAR. >> D IS FOR DONUTS. LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER, THEY’RE SO FUN IT GIVES YOU A SENSE OF PURPOSE. SULA: SARAH BABCOCK IS ALSO A SINGLE WOMAN WHO ADOPTED 6-YEAR-OLD JOSHUA THREE YEARS AGO. >> I WAS READY TO BE A PARENT AND REALLY DECIDED THAT THASAT SOMETHING I WANTED FOR MY FE WITH OUR WITHOUT A PARTNER. LASU EMILY AND SARAH ARE AMONG A GROWING NUMBER OF SINGLE WOMEN WHO FEEL CONFIDENT TO START A FAMILY WITUTHO A HUSBAND OR A PA RTNER. ACCORDING TO ADOPTHELP.COM, ABOUT 25% OF ADOPTIONS IN THE COUNTRY ARE BY SINGLE PARENTS. >> IT’S QUITE EMPOWERING HOW DIFFERENT ADOPTION IS NOW COMPARED TO GENERATIONS O.AG SULA: LORI ARCENEAUX TH VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA’S ADOPTION PROGRAM SAYS AS FAMILY DYNICAM CHANGE, SINGLE PARENT ADOPTIONS ARE MORE SOCIALLY ACCEPTED THAN EV BEREFORE. >> THE TYPICAL PATH THAT YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN MARRIA AGE CREATING A FAMILY DOESN’T ALWAYS WORK OUT SO I THINK THERE IS A TREND THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT LETTING THAT HOLD THEM BK.AC SULA: EMILY AND SARAH BOTH FOSTERED THEIR CHILDREN RSFI THROUGH D.C.F.S., OR DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES. REGIONAL DIRECTOR LESLIE LYONS SAYS OF THE 549 FAMILIES THAT OPADTED IN 2020, 160 OF EMTH WERE SINGLE PANTRE >> WE HAVE SEEN THAT INCERE SOME AND WE’RE CERTAINLY OPETO YOANNE MARRIED, SINGLE, DIVORCED WHO’S INTERESTED IN PROVIDING A HOME FOR OUR CHILDREN. SULA: LYONS SAYS FOSTERING MAY BE A GOOD PLACE TO START FOR SOME SINGLE WOMEN INTERESTED IN ADOPTING A CHILD. >> EACH PEONRS CAN PLAY A PART IN ENRICHING A CHILD’S LIFE. THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE PERMANENCY FOR THE C.HILD SU:LA A PERMANENT AND HEALTHY HOME WHERE THE CHILD CAN BE NURTURED AND LOVED NATOF ASHES ASHES WE ALL FALL WNDO EMILY AND SARAH BO STHAY WHILE THEY MAY BE SINGLE, THEIR HOMES FEEL BOUNTIFUL >> IF I WOULD HAVE WAITED TO GET MARRIED BEFORE I ADOPTEDI, WOULD HAVE MISSED OUT BY FAR ON MY BIGGEST BLESSING L
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Why more single women are adopting children on their own
Sula Kim
Anchor
Adopting a child as a single parent has become more common and widely accepted over the last decade.Studies show single parents interested in adopting a child has slowly continued to increase since the 1970s. Experts say as more women delay marriage to establish their careers, they're feeling more empowered to start a family on their own. Emily Griffin, 38, adopted Lilly in September after being her foster mom for about a year. "Life is so much better, they're so fun. It gives you a sense of purpose," said Griffin. Sarah Babcock is also single — she adopted 6-year-old Joshua three years ago. "I was ready to be a parent and really decided that that was something I wanted for my life – with or without a partner," said Babcock. Griffin and Babcock are among a growing number of single women who feel confident to start a family without a husband or a partner. According to adopthelp.com, about 25% of adoptions in the country are by single parents.Lori Arceneaux, with Volunteers of America's adoption program, says as family dynamics change, single parent adoptions are more socially accepted than ever before. "The typical path that you think will happen marriage and creating a family doesn't always work out, so I think there is a trend that people are not letting that hold them back. It's quite empowering how different adoption is now compared to generations ago," said Arceneaux. Emily and Sarah both fostered their children first through the the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services.Regional Director Leslie Lyons says of the 549 families that adopted in 2020, 160 of them were single parents. Lyons says fostering may be a good place to start for some single women interested in adopting a child. "Each person can play a part in enriching a child’s life. The goal is to provide permanency for the child," said Lyons. Both Emily Griffin and Sarah Babcock say there are additional challenges to being a single parent, so they say make sure you have a strong support system if you're interested in adopting or fostering a child.Watch the video above to learn more about this story.

Adopting a child as a single parent has become more common and widely accepted over the last decade.

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Studies show single parents interested in adopting a child has slowly continued to increase since the 1970s. Experts say as more women delay marriage to establish their careers, they're feeling more empowered to start a family on their own.

Emily Griffin, 38, adopted Lilly in September after being her foster mom for about a year.

"Life is so much better, they're so fun. It gives you a sense of purpose," said Griffin.

Sarah Babcock is also single — she adopted 6-year-old Joshua three years ago.

"I was ready to be a parent and really decided that that was something I wanted for my life – with or without a partner," said Babcock.

Griffin and Babcock are among a growing number of single women who feel confident to start a family without a husband or a partner.

According to adopthelp.com, about 25% of adoptions in the country are by single parents.

Lori Arceneaux, with Volunteers of America's adoption program, says as family dynamics change, single parent adoptions are more socially accepted than ever before.

"The typical path that you think will happen marriage and creating a family doesn't always work out, so I think there is a trend that people are not letting that hold them back. It's quite empowering how different adoption is now compared to generations ago," said Arceneaux.

Emily and Sarah both fostered their children first through the the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services.

Regional Director Leslie Lyons says of the 549 families that adopted in 2020, 160 of them were single parents.

Lyons says fostering may be a good place to start for some single women interested in adopting a child.

"Each person can play a part in enriching a child’s life. The goal is to provide permanency for the child," said Lyons.

Both Emily Griffin and Sarah Babcock say there are additional challenges to being a single parent, so they say make sure you have a strong support system if you're interested in adopting or fostering a child.

Watch the video above to learn more about this story.