Positive Adoption Language

Positive language                     Negative language

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Birthparent                           Real parent

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Biological parent                     Natural parent

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Birth child                           Own child

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My child                              Adopted child; Own child

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Was adopted                           Is adopted

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Born to unmarried parents              Illegitimate

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Terminate parental rights             Give up

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Make an adoption plan or

Place a child for adoption            Give away, give up

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To parent                             To keep

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Waiting child                         Adoptable child; Available child

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Biological mother or father           Real mother or father

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Making contact with                   Reunion

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Parent                                Adoptive parent

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International adoption                Foreign adoption

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Adoption triad                        Adoption triangle

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Permission to sign a release          Disclosure

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Search                                 Track down parents

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Child placed for adoption             An unwanted child

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Court termination                     Child taken away

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Child with special needs              Handicapped child

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Child from abroad                     Foreign child