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Adoption

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on adoption.

Original poster

Men should not be able to adopt

179 replies

clarinsgirl · 20/06/2026 16:09

Obviously related to recent tragic events but something I’ve been thinking about for a while. In England and Wales 99% of all those convicted of child sexual offences are men (ONS). 91% of all defendants in child abuse cases are men (ONS). So start point for adoption is men alone cannot adopt.

Of course I realise it’s not that simple but really interested to hear what others think.

OP posts:
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5
ThePieceHall · Today 10:40

Jellycatspyjamas · Today 09:30

Fuck me, who thought that was a good idea - there’s so much wrong with this it’s unreal.

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Agreed. I have sent this on to Sarah Anderson at FosterWiki as she is a warrior for the rights of foster carers in England and now has a voice at government level.

ThePieceHall · Today 11:02

Arran2024 · Today 09:53

I keep saying, they have this "Anyone Can Adopt" strategy, and this agency is just taking that idea and running with it and applying it to fostering too. It is why they target imo vulnerable people with a completely unrealistic message - that adoption and fostering are no big deal, easily accessible and anyone can do it.

I adopted 26 years ago and have seen a load of gov initiatives to increase adoption rates in that time. Martin Nairey was made Adoption Tsar with a view to especially increasing numbers of people willing to take on big family groups - he soon changed his tune when he spoke to adopters and actually came out and said thst people should just take one child! Michael Gove, who was adopted himself, wanted what he had experienced for children in care and was responsible for the adoption support fund but also for stream lining things ie hurrying people through the process.

But meanwhile adopters have kept trying to explain the truth to people but they prefer the happy ever after stories from the adoption industry.

I think the only thing I can ever forgive a Tory for is Michael Gove introducing the ASF and raising the rights of adoptive children in education and society.

Arran2024 · Today 14:31

ThePieceHall · Today 11:02

I think the only thing I can ever forgive a Tory for is Michael Gove introducing the ASF and raising the rights of adoptive children in education and society.

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Yes, of course he was a relinquished baby in the 60s, so nothing like today's adoption. I do think he genuinely wanted to help - for everyone else it's more about reducing the costs of keeping children in care.

ThePieceHall · Today 16:27

Arran2024 · Today 14:31

Yes, of course he was a relinquished baby in the 60s, so nothing like today's adoption. I do think he genuinely wanted to help - for everyone else it's more about reducing the costs of keeping children in care.

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Agreed. He apparently had a happy adoption. I do find it interesting that he has come out so late in life, after a marriage and children. I know that we are comparing apples with pears in terms of his 1960s relinquishment adoption and our highly complex children today but I am grateful to him and Sir Edward Timpson for the work they did to highlight the needs of care-experienced children.

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