Adoption
Whether for people or for animals, adoption is a keenly emotional subject. In recent years society’s attitudes towards this challenging issue are changing. Celebrities are becoming more vocal and visible in taking in children from abroad. While helping the cause it has also created controversy. Are these children a figment of public relations management? Are they really loved by these famous people? Should people adopt before having children of their own?
- Language level: B1+
- Aim: The cultural differences in adoption acceptance.
- Learner type: Young learners; Teens; Adults
- Time: 45 – 60 minutes
- Activities included: Discussing quotes, conversation questions, presentation, image discussion
- Topic: Adoption
- Language: Any
- Materials: Text and images
Useful vocabulary
- Foster care – when a family or couple offer to become guardians for a child.
- Bonding – the act of forming an emotional relationship.
- Custody – when a person is given legal responsibility for another person.
- Lifebook – a book which contains important information about the life of the adopted child.
- Amend birth certificate – a change in a person’s birth certificate.
- Adoptee – the person who was placed with a new family.
- Biological parent – the parent who fathered and gave birth to someone.
- Abandoned – when someone is no longer looked after by anyone.
- Neglected – when someone is treated poorly, and perhaps suffering from abuse.
- Illegitimate – not legal or correct in law.
- Keep a low profile – try not to attract too much attention to something or someone.
Adoption printable worksheet
- Download the PDF talking points page: Adoption ESLTalkingPoints PDF
- Download the PDF images for class: Adoption Images PDF
Did you know?
- In 2013 there were 402,378 children in foster care in The United States.
- In the US children often wait for around 22 months before they are safely housed with a new family.
- It usually takes longer for boys than girls to find a new family and home.
- Once children are over nine years of age, the chance of finding a new family drops significantly.
- Once they turn 18 the children are often no longer allowed to live with their foster family as they are now adults. As a result, many often become homeless afterwards. It is as high as 20% who then go on to living on the streets.
Quotations
“Too many children in foster care are falling through cracks. Be a hero, take the time learn about adoption today.”
– Bruce Willis
“There is so much work to be done to treat gays and lesbians and gay and lesbian couples with the respect that they’re entitled to. They deserve, in my judgment, partnership benefits. They deserve to be treated fairly when it comes to adoption”
– John Edwards
Questions
• How common is adoption in your country?
• Would you ever adopt a child? Why?
• Do you know anyone who was adopted? Do you know any famous people who were?
• Why do people choose to adopt?
• Why do people give up their children for adoption?
• If a couple in Europe wanted to adopt a child from another part of the world, should they be allowed? Why? What problems could there be?
• Should the process the adopt a child be made easier or more difficult?
• Do you think people adopt to make themselves look more charitable?
• Should people be able to choose who they adopt? (boy or girl, age and etc)
• Should same-sex couples be allowed to adopt? Why?
• Should the government encourage people to adopt? Why?
• Should adopted children be allowed to find their biological parents again?
Presentation
You work for a local group which is petitioning the government to stop celebrities like Madonna and Angelina Jolie to adopt children from overseas. Create a presentation highlighting your concerns.
Links
