encyclopedia of adoption

natural parents

The man and woman who conceived a child together; also known as "birthparents" or "biological parents," usually used when the child is placed for adoption and parental rights and obligations are transferred to the adoptive parents.

The terminology "natural parents" is out of favor with many adoptive parents and adoption professionals, who point out that the opposite of "natural" is "unnatural." As a result, many adoptive parents prefer the words "birthparents" or "biological" or "genetic" parents. (See also BIRTHPARENT.)


Find more information on natural parents

Browse for other entries
List All A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
See Also
Preface, Acknowledgments, Introduction

©2000 by Christine Adamec and William Pierce, Ph.D. Reprinted from The Encyclopedia of Adoption, 2nd Edition (2nd Edition) with permission of Facts On File, Inc.


Click Here to be helped in California!
Pregnant? Click Here
Ready for Adoption?
Adoption Network Law Center Adoption Network Law Center
Want to Adopt? Click here.
Click here to be helped in California!
 Adoption Network Law Center
Pregnant? Click here.
 Adoption Network Law Center