Interesting story from CNN today on more single black women choosing to adopt. An excerpt:

Marriage and motherhood -- it's the dream that begins in childhood for many women. Yet more African-American women are deciding to adopt instead of waiting for a husband, says Mardie Caldwell, founder of Lifetime Adoption, an adoption referral and support group in Penn Valley, California.
"We're seeing more and more single African-American women who are not finding men," Caldwell says. "There's a lack of qualified black men to get into relationships with."

The numbers are grim. According to the 2006 U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 45 percent of African-American women have never been married, compared with 23 percent of white women. Yet the decision to adopt isn't just driven by the paucity of eligible African-American men, others say.

Toni Oliver, founder and CEO of Roots Adoption Agency in Atlanta, Georgia, says her agency sees more single African-American women adopting because of infertility issues.

Some of the infertility issues may be related to advancing age or health issues, she says. But the result of not being a mother for many older African-American women is the same: panic.

"Their doctors, friends and family are telling them the same thing: 'You're not getting younger; you better hurry up,' '' Oliver says.

The story definitely veers into stereotype territory but also brings up some interesting points around why single, professional women may want to adopt and some of the challenges they face. Thoughts?

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I say while the stats are grim and yes it straddles the line of sterotype regarding black men the truth is the truth. More professional black women are single and childless than our white/latino counterparts and our less affluent sisters. I am a single professional black women who recently found out I was infertile and have struggled with the idea that I'm suppsosed to be married and be a mother. I am however coming to terms with the fact that this might not be the path for me, and its OK. My life is still fulfilling and great! And yes if later on I decide I want to start a family, adoption is something I will consider, whether I have a mate or not.

Isn't this similar to raising children in single-parent homes that black people get flack for all the time? Shouldn't they be addressing their marriage issues first? It seems they're putting the cart before the horse again.

@ Duke

I think most of these women would prefer to do the marriage first but are starting to believe it may never happen. So instead of having a baby out of wedlock they decide that it's better for a child to have at least one parent that loves them than have that child end up staying in the system thru 18 waiting for a married couple to take them home. It seems logical to me, especially since black children have lower rates of adoption (www.adoptioninstitute.org/publications/MEPApaper20080527.pdf on page 11). Yes, two parents are preferred but one is better than none in my opinion.

I'm a single white woman who is in the process of adopting, I didn't read the full CNN article but I can definitely relate to what you've quoted here. I'll be 42 next month and haven't yet met Mr. Right - I'm not ruling out ever getting married some time in the future, but in the meantime, I own my own home, have a steady job, and I don't want to miss out on the opportunity to raise a child. Most of the single black women I know who are also adopting are in basically the same situation. I think this is a trend in general - single professional women adopting on their own - not just among single African-American women.

MonP and Liz, I understand your point of view. I really do wish these woman luck in whatever they decide to do. Peace and light always

Theres a show called Adopting Teens and Tweens on BCAT, a Brooklyn cable access channel in NY that I like to watch (I hope to adopt one day, married or not). The women on those shows seem to adopt out of desire to share a home and a heart to children who have haven't had either. I'm sure there are women who do it because of a lack of an eligible partner but I'm pretty sure it's not the only reason, nor most important for every black single woman who decides to adopt. Furthermore is it so bad to not marry because you havene't found a quality partner? Or should black women follow white women who marry then divorce...then marry then divorce...then marry then divorce.