ADOPTION
Informative
Speech Outline
By Matthew Zwicker
Specific Purpose:
To inform my audience about adoption overall.
Central Idea:
Adoption – What it is, what the adoption process looks like, and the benefits
that come with it.
Introduction
I.
Mother Teresa,
Moses, President Clinton and Steve Jobs all have this one thing in common:
A.
They are all
adopted.
II.
Likewise, my
friend Dakota is adopted.
A.
In his earlier
years, his mother put him and his younger brother into foster care, due to
circumstances.
B.
After years of moving from foster home to
foster home, a generous couple adopted both him and his little brother, to be a
part of a loving and permanent family.
III.
After having a
deep motivation to learn and understand what Dakota went through, I have done
in-depth research on adoption.
IV.
Today, we will
uncover a greater understanding of what exactly adoption is as a whole.
V.
In these next
few minutes, I would like to show you what adoption really is, what the
adoption process looks like, and some of the significant benefits of adoption.
(Transition: First off, let’s look at what adoption is.)
Body
I.
Adoption comes
in many different shapes and sizes.
A.
As defined in an
Adoption publication by the Department of Social & Health Service, “Adoption
is the permanent, legal transfer of all parental rights from one person/couple
to another person/couple.” (DSHS, pg. 1)
B.
Now, you’re
probably thinking to yourself “Why would the birth parents put their child up
for adoption?” Here are some factors of why they do, and not all reasons are
bad: (Kidshealth.org, pg. 1)
1.
Sure, there is the stereotype that the birth parents simply didn’t want their
child.
2.
But some birth parents put their children up for adoption because they decide
that they want a better life for their child than what they could provide
i.
Such as having
insufficient housing, income, or living status,
3.
Others believes their child would be better off in another country by means of
international adoption,
4.
And sometime, parents simply cannot take care of their children due sickness or
ailments.
C.
In a recent
study in 2008, there were about 500,000 foster children in the United States.
D.
Adoption is a
huge need in our world.
E.
Adoption is one
of the greatest honors a person/couple may have.
1.
It shows that you rescued a child from partial isolation
2.
And brought him/her under your wings of tender, loving care.
(Transition: Now that we know what adoption is, let’s understand
what the adoption process looks like)
II.
There are 5 steps
in the Adoption Process
A.
The first step
is to select an agency through which adoption occurs
1.
This may be done through public/state Adoption agencies, private agencies,
independent adoptions, or step parent and adult adoptions.
B.
The second step
is to complete a Home Study
1.
A Home Study is basically learning about Adoption and the conduction of background
checks.
C.
The third step
is to Engage in the Placement Process
1.
If pursuing adoption through foster care,
agencies have different ways to show the different children waiting for an
adoptive family.
2.
If pursuing adoption through a private
agency, expectant parents may pick a certain family that they feel may fit
their child’s need best
3.
If pursuing adoption through independent
adoption, an attorney may locate a child waiting for adoption.
D.
The fourth step
is to file various, yet necessary legal documents.
E.
And the fifth
step is to parent the child
1.
To be the parent in his/her life, to be the mother and the father that
he/she would have never had.
F. According to adoption.com, the projected cost of
adoption varies from $5,000-$40,000
1.
Depending on services provided, travel and birthmother expenses, state
requirements, ex cet terra.
2.
However, there are many ways to help pay for adoption,
1. Through
tax benefits, loans and employer benefits.
(Transistion:
Keeping in mind the Adoption Process, no matter how many financial benefits one
gets from adoption, there is no wait to great nor price too much to how many
blessings and benefits are shared in adoption)
III.
Adoption is a
huge benefit to everyone involved.
A.
“The Adoptive
families are granted an opportunity to become parents.
B.
“A child is
provided a two-parent home with a stable income.
C.
“A woman, who
may not be ready to raise a child, can select a family that she knows will
raise her child as she would like to.
D.
Psychological
benefits of the child is that her/she may have
1.
The love and support of adoptive parents
2.
A desirable home and family life
3.
Two parents, with the possibility of brothers and sisters
4.
And a chance for better education
(Transition: The largest benefit of all is the opportunity to love
and to grow with one another)
Conclusion
I.
Today, we’ve
looked at adoption, what it is, what the process is to adopt a child, and a few
of the many benefits of adoption.
II.
For Dakota, his
dream is to play professional football. He probably wouldn’t have the goals and
aspirations that he now has if it wasn’t for his father and mother who adopted
him into a home of love and care.
III.
By amazing
grace, a child may finally find the security, hope and love that he would have
never had had otherwise, through adoption.
Bibliography
"The Adoption Process." American
Pregnancy Association. American Pregnancy Association, 2012. Web. 15 Oct.
2012. <http://www.americanpregnancy.org/adoption/adoptionprocess.html>.
"Benefits of Adoption." American
Pregnancy Association. N.p., 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.americanpregnancy.org/adoption/benefitsofadoption.html>.
"Child Poverty and
Inequality." Directory for Child Welfare: Adoption / Child Abuse /
Child Welfare /child Support / Child Development / Child Care /Â Foster
Care / Children / Destiny Child / Child Book /Â Child Abuse / Child
Welfare /child Support / Child Development / Child Care /Â Fo. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.childwelfare.com/>.
"Adoption in Washington State - A Lifelong Developmental Journey" Washington
State Depoartment of Social and Health Services. Pg. 1-2. n.d. Article. 15
Oct. 2012.
"Adoption Costs." Adoption.com. Adoption
Media, 2012. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://costs.adoption.com/>.
"Adoption." Kid's Health. Nemours, 2012.
Web. 15 Oct. 2012.
<http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/families/adoption.html>.
"Why Do People Place Their Children for Adoption?"
Adoption.com. Adoption Media, 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.
<http://faq.adoption.com/questions/why-do-people-place-their-children-for-adoption.html>.
Kovacs, Jason. "Orphan Statistics." ABBA
Fund Blog. Abba Fund, 2009. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://abbafund.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/orphan-statistics/>.