National Adoption Week: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Adoption Week (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Adoption Week is celebrated on October 17th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Adoption Week, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as interesting facts you should know about National Adoption Week.

📅 What day is National Adoption Week 2024?

In 2024, National Adoption Week is on Tuesday, October 17th. It is the 3rd Tuesday in October; in 2024, it is Thursday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all intriguing details and facts about October 17, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

National Adoption Week is an annual event that takes place in the third week of October. This year, it will be observed from October 17 to 23. The main objective of this week is to increase public understanding and knowledge about adoption. Various perspectives are shared during this time, including those of adoptees and adoptive parents, to shed light on the experience of adoption and its emotional aspects. Additionally, the awareness campaign aims to find loving homes for children who are waiting to be adopted. With support from the Department of Education, organizations dedicated to child adoption work throughout the entire week to dispel any misconceptions or myths surrounding adoption.

📜 National Adoption Week History

During the Middle Ages, bloodlines held great importance as power and property could only be inherited by “natural-born” heirs. Adoption was restricted or made very difficult in several European countries due to inheritance laws, resulting in abandoned children known as oblates being placed in monasteries. This led to the care of orphans in institutional settings.

After the American Civil War, orphans were relocated to the eastern part of the country and placed in indentured servitude. In 1909, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed that orphaned and abandoned children should primarily be cared for by nuclear families, influenced by the Progressive movement. This adoption approach eventually made its way to the United Kingdom, which established its first adoption law in 1926. Adoption has now become a global phenomenon.

✅ National Adoption Week Facts

🔖 Aging out
Before they are able to find adoptive families, around 40% of young individuals in the foster care system of the United States reach the age at which they are no longer eligible for care.

🔖 The number of orphans
The number of orphaned children worldwide exceeds the combined populations of the United Kingdom and France.

🔖 Baby formula
Prior to the 1920s, it was common for older children to be adopted as infant formula was not widely available.

👍 Why Is National Adoption Week Important

Adoption has a long and often tragic history. National Adoption Week is an excellent time to learn more about it.

There are several myths regarding adoption. National Adoption Week helps to eliminate these myths.

The existing adoption method has several flaws. National Adoption Week highlights them and advocates for change.

🙂 How To Observe National Adoption Week

⚡ Donate or volunteer
If you have the means, consider contributing to and getting involved with an organization dedicated to facilitating the adoption of children.

⚡ Read up about adoption laws
To have awareness about adoption as a process, it is important to have knowledge about the rules and guidelines that govern it. Take the time to understand these regulations.

⚡ Make National Adoption Week trend
The objective of National Adoption Week is to raise awareness and understanding about adoption. You can support this cause by using social media to share information and promote the importance of adoption.

📅 When is National Adoption Week?

You can view all 🔗 October holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about National Adoption Week. So be sure to check back soon.