NCFA Releases Adoption Advocate-Adoptive Siblings: The Invisible Family Members

Adoption changes family dynamics in significant ways, but the impact on adoptive siblings has not been studied closely until now. In September’s Adoption Advocate, PhD candidate Jana Hunsley shares findings from her research of nearly 200 adult adoptive siblings, including challenges they faced, and their reports of feeling overwhelmed or even invisible to their parents. She offers five ways that parents and professionals can acknowledge and meet the needs of adoptive siblings—a crucial step for building a cohesive, thriving family unit. Download the PDF of Adoption Advocate No. 147 or read the web version.

The Adoption Advocate is a monthly publication created by NCFA to educate policymakers, families, child welfare specialists, and other interested parties on today’s most relevant child welfare and adoption issues.