adoptive family
Legal, not biological
An adoptive family is one formed through legal adoption rather than biological birth.
The term emphasizes that family bonds aren't limited to blood relations: She was raised by her adoptive family from infancy.
It may refer to the whole household or specifically to the parents who adopted a child.
- stepfamilyHousehold joined by remarriage
- home studyLearning outside the classroom
- waiting childMinor available for adoption
- identity formationBuilding a sense of self
- legal guardianshipCourt-appointed care authority
trust-building · adoptee · attachment theory · foster care system · sibling relationships · custody agreement · parental love · reunification · new beginnings · chosen · social worker · foster · waiting · orphan · love · welcome · paperwork · placement
- familymother, father, parents, siblings, parent
- family termsparents, mothers, fathers, single parent, son
- loved onesspouse, partner, mother, father, parents
- kinshipmother, father, sister, brother, children
- familiesstepfamily, married couple, parents, children, siblings
- family structuresstepfamily, single parent, married couple, multigenerational, childless couple
adoptive familybirth family
Relatives by blood origin
blood relatives · family of origin · birth parents · biological parents · blood kin
adoptive familyfoster family
Temporary child-raising arrangement
foster parents · foster care · temporary placement · kinship care · group home