Why does the Census form differentiate between adopted and bio children?

[lemondog]

Your child is your child, period. Our oldest is adopted but she is no different to me than our bio kids. This irks me a little. I thought the whole point of the Census was to get an accurate count of people in each household, including their ethnic background. Adopted or bio doesn't seem to matter to me...or am I missing some pressing reason they need to know this?

 

[FireDancer]

In the interest of not having to retype the post see here.

Basically, in statistical analysis you get the lowest level of data and detail possible. Knowing how many people in the country are adopted and any statistical data associated with it is something we should know. It isn't making a value judgment, just a statistical distinction. I don't see why it turns into such a big deal.

 

[laurie31]

Here's the whole thread. I wondered about that too, so I was interested to find out the reason.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=35862567#post35862567

 

[lemondog]

Thanks for the link...didn't see that thread.

 

[laurie31]

You're welcome.

 

[Imzadi]

I would imagine that if they see a rise in the population of adopted kids, it would be a good thing. It means it's being done more and has become more acceptable.

I wouldn't think of it as any different than finding out there are more blacks & Hispanics and other races in the U.S.

 

[lillygator]

your child may be your child period, but if one is adopted that is a fact too right? what is this issue?

 

[kydisneyfans]

A child is a child, whether adopted or not, it should mean nothing on a census form.

The only information needed IMO is:
# of people living in your home.
The home address-is it multi unit?
The names of the people living in the home.

That should be it-no race info, adoption, etc.

It would also be easier and a ton cheaper if an online option were offered to eliminate the numerous letters and paper used for this project.

 

[diznygirl]

A child is a child, whether adopted or not, it should mean nothing on a census form.

The only information needed IMO is:
# of people living in your home.
The home address-is it multi unit?
The names of the people living in the home.

That should be it-no race info, adoption, etc.

It would also be easier and a ton cheaper if an online option were offered to eliminate the numerous letters and paper used for this project.

On online option would be great.


Regarding the amount of information requested: I'm doing ancestry work right now and finding some information from an age-old census - the more information the better for learning about my relatives, or eliminating someone with a similar name.

 

[HM]

I'm sorry that it bothers you. {{HUGS}}

I actually was surprised that there wasn't more statistical data requested on the forms. I thought that there was more to it when we filled one out 10 yrs ago.

 

[disney1990]

A child is a child, whether adopted or not, it should mean nothing on a census form.

The only information needed IMO is:
# of people living in your home.
The home address-is it multi unit?
The names of the people living in the home.

That should be it-no race info, adoption, etc.

It would also be easier and a ton cheaper if an online option were offered to eliminate the numerous letters and paper used for this project.

So you don't think we should know the make up of our country? If the percentage of one group has overwhelming grown over the past ten years? What if the country were 15% Hispanic in 2010 and it is now 35% Hispanic? You wouldn't want to have that information. (I'm just choosing one for instance.)

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Three of my kiddos are adopted. I don't see the negatives in reporting that to the census.

I understand your feelings. Gosh, how I hate it when people ask me who my "real" children are. People can be insensitive, but I don't view census questions as inappropriate.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

A child is a child, whether adopted or not, it should mean nothing on a census form.

The only information needed IMO is:
# of people living in your home.
The home address-is it multi unit?
The names of the people living in the home.

That should be it-no race info, adoption, etc.

It would also be easier and a ton cheaper if an online option were offered to eliminate the numerous letters and paper used for this project.

Why does it matter if the home is multi-unit? A home is a home, isn't it?

I'm an adoptive mom, and it annoys me when people make a distinction when it's not relevent to the issue, too. But the census question doesn't bother me. I think it's just so we have statistics about how many adopted children there are. No different than having statistics on race or what type of dwelling people live in.

 

[antmaril]

My only child (DS23) is adopted from South Korea. Obviously, I checked adopted and Korean for him. Didn't bother me a bit. They are gathering statistical information. Done.