Adoptive Parenting Is More Complex Than Evolutionary Theory Would Predict

Abstract

This chapter focuses on adoptive parenting. At face value, adoption does not fulfill one of the primary goals of evolution: survival and eventual reproduction of one’s genes. Why, then, given our evolutionary history, and the relative difficulty of adoption, is adoption so widespread and usually successful? The chapter is devoted to examining adoption from an evolutionary perspective. It traces the history of adoption and reviews many reasons why adoption has been, and still is, widespread. The human history of adoption reflects many of our evolutionary goals and biological drives. However, one of the unique capacities of humanity is the ability to rise above our baser biology to use logic and reason to overcome gut reactions rooted in animal biology. Modern adoption theory and practice seek to recognize patterns rooted in biology, history, and culture, while encouraging more equitable practices that respect each individual involved in adoption.