Single Parent Adoptions Making History

Thursday March 20, 2008

Audrey Oliver-Owens made history in Indiana back in 1967. She became the first person to adopt as a single parent. An article in the IndyStar.com, Making Family History, by Courtenay Edelhart, notes that while single parent adoption was common back in the 1800s, by the 20th century it was determined not to be in the best interest of the children. Child welfare workers made single parent adoptions impossible believing that single parents were financially unstable and emotionally harmful.

In the late 1960s, with California leading the way and Indiana following, changes were made and the growing need for homes brought back the idea of single parent adoptions. Oliver-Owens is proud to be the first person in Indiana to adopt as a single parent, bringing her three-month-old, baby girl home the day before Thanksgiving in 1967. She followed with another adoption of another little girl in 1969. Daughters Candy and Cooky do not feel that they missed out on having a father as they have plenty of male role models in their lives.

"I have a brother who acted as a father to them," Oliver-Owens said. "They call him Daddy Roy."
"And he did a good job, too," Candy said. "I never felt bad not having a father because I had so many positive men in my family."

According to our Single Parents Guide here on About.com, March 21, 2008 is Single Parent's Day. So get with the celebrating!

Here is some additional reading on Single Parent's Day and adoption:

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