While adoption originates from adverse conditions in the adoptee's family of origin, adoption can have many positive impacts on the adoptee if their needs are kept at the center of all decisions. Here are a few ways that adoption can be a positive experience for the adopted person.

To be clear, adoption never starts from a positive place. The birth parents are always under some stress that makes a child available for adoption. Examining adoption through that lens, we have to stop ourselves from having the mindset that a child is being 'saved' through adoption.

While the child may be moving to a more stable environment, the best situation for any child is to grow up in their biological family supported and loved. But that is just not possible for every child.

Adopting a child is an ongoing lived experience for the adopted person, their adoptive family, and their family of origin. When adoptive families are selfless, unified in the equality of each family member, and supportive of one another, adoption can be a wonderful life.

Here are some of the potential benefits and positive impacts of adoption that I've learned from guests on the Who Am I Really? podcast.