Why aren't teenagers getting adopted as quickly as those who are under the age 18?

Question

When I say Teenagers I mean teens who are 13 to about 17 years old

Answer 1

Because it is a proven fact that children in younger age groups are more likely to bond to their adoptive parents thsn those in older/teenage age groups. By the time the teens have been tossed around from home to home they are usually sick of being treated like p**p and they can't wait to just take care of themselves! So therefore people want babies because babies will grow up to love them and be a part of their family!

Answer 2

I think that children ages 13-16 aren't adopted because this is a hard age to deal with.  You have to be a special person to deal with child at this age.  They are going through so many changes in their lives and own bodies.  They don't get adopted because people see them as already grown up and independent.  Most people want to be able to bond with the child they adopt and bonding with teens is a hard thing to do.

If I had the money or resources I would be willing to adopt a teen.

Answer 3

I'm not sure that I understand the question.  Teenagers ARE the people under the age of 18.

Answer 4

I'm assuming that you mean: why aren't teens adopted as quickly as infants?  If so, I think the reason is because teens who have been in foster care, for whatever reason, are likely to be carrying a lot of emotional baggage, not to mention possible physical abuse.  The teen age years are hard enough when you've raised the kid from infancy but would be even more of a challenge when you don't have the emotional bonds and attachments already formed that would be needed to get you thru it.  I think you would have to be a special kind of person to adopt a teenager.  Not just anyone could do it.

Answer 5

Most people just want a babies, toddlers and younger child, older kids often come with a lot of issues. Who can blame them if they have never had a stable home and adults they can count on.  Its really unfortunate because not all teens that need a home have all this issues. Some could use the help of a loving family, it might take the awhile to realize someone cares and wants them but with some time and patience, things can work out.

Answer 6

because who wants a bratty teenager who probably has emotional problems. People who adopt want babies or young kids.

Answer 7

because a lot of people who have no children at all want to experience raising a child from their early years up until the teen years... statistics show that teens are more likely to be adopted by families that already have a few children.

Answer 8

Older children aren't adopted because they tend to carry the scars of whatever abuse they may have endured, prior to and during placement in foster care. Rarely ever is the cost prohibitive when it comes to adopting an older child. States offer subsidies and generally the adoptive parent may only have to pay legal fees associated with the adoption.

Answer 9

Unless a person is mentally handicapped they can't be adopted over the age of 17. at 18 they are legally an adult.

Answer 10

Beacause for someone who has lived so long in either an orphange or foster home its really hard for them to bond with you and all people are scared of their child not loving them

Answer 11

Good question, can only say that there can be more questions than answers to be given. There are reasons that these children have been passed over, alot of times not because of the way they act. The people that should be working to find homes for these children aren't making an effort in doing a good job placing these young people in a safe, warm home.