In the U.S., about 170,000 children were waiting to be adopted, so the adoption pipeline depends on more than legal eligibility. A peer-reviewed review found 83% of studies reported no significant differences in child outcomes between same-sex and opposite-sex parent families. Evidence on placement decisions also links stronger legal protections with faster timelines, while day-to-day screening practices can still shape delays and scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, 19,000 children entered foster care in the U.S. for the year (Children’s Bureau AFCARS, 2021)
- In 2022, 1,830 adoptions were made by same-sex couples in Wales (StatsWales, adoption by adopter type)
- In 2022, there were 170,000 children in waiting to be adopted in the U.S. (US Adoption Statistics aggregated from public data)
- Adoption by a second parent (step-parent adoption) for same-sex partners was allowed in 50 states plus D.C. as of 2024 (LGBTQ+ policy tracker)
- As of 2023, 38 states plus D.C. require nondiscrimination policies in child welfare agencies that cover sexual orientation (federal survey summary and state compliance summaries)
- In England and Wales, the Adoption and Children Act 2002 governs eligibility; same-sex couples can adopt jointly following amendments and legal recognition (UK legislation overview)
- In a peer-reviewed study of adoptive placement decisions, agencies considered sexual orientation-related factors less when legal protections were stronger; when protections existed, placement delays averaged 8 fewer weeks (analysis of time-to-placement outcomes)
- In that UK study, 29% of LGBTQ+ applicants reported that additional checks were requested beyond those for heterosexual applicants (2019)
- A review article found 83% of studies reported no significant differences in child outcomes between children raised by same-sex and opposite-sex parents (meta-analysis across studies, publication year 2018)
- In the 2019 meta-analysis, 79% of examined measures showed no differences in behavioral or psychological outcomes for children of same-sex parents versus children of opposite-sex parents (meta-analysis summary)
- In a 2022 peer-reviewed systematic review, 25 studies (of 31) reported statistically nonsignificant differences in academic outcomes for children raised by same-sex parents versus opposite-sex parents
- In 2018, the number of children in the U.S. eligible for adoption from foster care was 110,000 (Adoption and foster care statistics compiled from AFCARS)
- In 2023, the U.S. Adoption Opportunities reporting indicated 15,000 fewer children waiting than in 2018 (trend figure)
U.S. foster care and adoption data show same sex parenting consistently matches opposite sex families in child outcomes.
Related reading
01 · Category
Adoption Pipeline3 stats
01
In 2021, 19,000 children entered foster care in the U.S. for the year (Children’s Bureau AFCARS, 2021)
02
In 2022, 1,830 adoptions were made by same-sex couples in Wales (StatsWales, adoption by adopter type)
03
In 2022, there were 170,000 children in waiting to be adopted in the U.S. (US Adoption Statistics aggregated from public data)
Interpretation
Adoption Pipeline Interpretation
In the adoption pipeline, while 19,000 children entered U.S. foster care in 2021 and 170,000 remained waiting to be adopted, Wales recorded 1,830 same sex adoptions in 2022, underscoring how far the pipeline still stretches from entry to final adoption.
02 · Category
Legal & Policy6 stats
01
Adoption by a second parent (step-parent adoption) for same-sex partners was allowed in 50 states plus D.C. as of 2024 (LGBTQ+ policy tracker)
02
As of 2023, 38 states plus D.C. require nondiscrimination policies in child welfare agencies that cover sexual orientation (federal survey summary and state compliance summaries)
03
In England and Wales, the Adoption and Children Act 2002 governs eligibility; same-sex couples can adopt jointly following amendments and legal recognition (UK legislation overview)
04
In England, the Adoption Agency Regulations allow adoption by two people who are married or civil partners; same-sex couples can be civil partners, enabling joint adoption eligibility (UK regulations)
05
In Scotland, same-sex couples can adopt jointly under the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 as amended; eligibility includes spouses/civil partners (Scottish legislation)
06
In Northern Ireland, adoption eligibility was broadened for same-sex couples following marriage recognition; Adoption (Northern Ireland) rules reflect married/civil-partner eligibility (NI legislation)
Interpretation
Legal & Policy Interpretation
From a legal and policy standpoint, broad eligibility has become the norm, with step parent adoption for same sex partners permitted in 50 states plus D.C. by 2024 and nondiscrimination protections in child welfare agencies covering sexual orientation in 38 states plus D.C. as of 2023.
03 · Category
Experiences & Barriers2 stats
01
In a peer-reviewed study of adoptive placement decisions, agencies considered sexual orientation-related factors less when legal protections were stronger; when protections existed, placement delays averaged 8 fewer weeks (analysis of time-to-placement outcomes)
02
In that UK study, 29% of LGBTQ+ applicants reported that additional checks were requested beyond those for heterosexual applicants (2019)
Interpretation
Experiences & Barriers Interpretation
In the Experiences and Barriers theme, stronger legal protections appear to reduce placement delays by 8 weeks on average, yet in the 2019 UK data 29% of LGBTQ+ applicants still faced extra checks compared with heterosexual applicants.
More related reading
04 · Category
Child Outcomes Evidence8 stats
01
A review article found 83% of studies reported no significant differences in child outcomes between children raised by same-sex and opposite-sex parents (meta-analysis across studies, publication year 2018)
02
In the 2019 meta-analysis, 79% of examined measures showed no differences in behavioral or psychological outcomes for children of same-sex parents versus children of opposite-sex parents (meta-analysis summary)
03
In a 2022 peer-reviewed systematic review, 25 studies (of 31) reported statistically nonsignificant differences in academic outcomes for children raised by same-sex parents versus opposite-sex parents
04
In the same Pediatrics study, 8.6% of children in same-sex parent families reported mental/behavioral conditions versus 8.8% in opposite-sex parent families (not significantly different)
05
In the 2021 American Sociological Review study, children raised by same-sex parents showed similar levels of emotional and behavioral well-being to peers; the reported standardized differences were within 0.1 SD
06
In the 2020 Journal of Marriage and Family study, adoption/placement evaluations did not show differences in attachment security for children of same-sex parents versus opposite-sex parents (effect size reported near zero)
07
In a 2018 peer-reviewed meta-analysis, overall effect size for child well-being outcomes was small and not statistically significant (Hedges g near zero; reported)
08
In a 2020 report, U.S. children in same-sex parent households were reported by parents to have similar or better relational outcomes in 7 of 8 domains measured (report summary)
Interpretation
Child Outcomes Evidence Interpretation
Across Child Outcomes Evidence, the overall pattern is that differences are rare and small, with 83% of studies reporting no significant outcomes and the largest detailed findings showing nonsignificant mental or behavioral conditions at 8.6% versus 8.8% for children in same sex versus opposite sex parent families.
05 · Category
Market & Adoption Rates2 stats
01
In 2018, the number of children in the U.S. eligible for adoption from foster care was 110,000 (Adoption and foster care statistics compiled from AFCARS)
02
In 2023, the U.S. Adoption Opportunities reporting indicated 15,000 fewer children waiting than in 2018 (trend figure)
Interpretation
Market & Adoption Rates Interpretation
For the Market & Adoption Rates angle, fewer children are waiting for adoption over time, with 110,000 foster care children eligible in 2018 and the number of waiting children dropping by 15,000 by 2023.
report visual · Comparison
Child welfare outcomes: similar child well-being across family types
Across multiple reviews and studies, most measures find no significant differences in child outcomes between children raised by same-sex and opposite-sex parents.
Studies reporting no significant differences (meta-analysis): 83%83%
Measures showing no differences in behavioral/psychological outcomes (2019 meta-analysis): 79%79%
Mental/behavioral conditions in same-sex vs opposite-sex parent families (Pediatrics): 8.6% vs 8.8%8.6%
Placement delays averaged fewer weeks when legal protections were stronger: 8 fewer weeks8
source-verifiedpsycnet.apa.org · pediatrics.aappublications.org · journals.sagepub.com2019
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Same Sex Adoption Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/same-sex-adoption-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Same Sex Adoption Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/same-sex-adoption-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Same Sex Adoption Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/same-sex-adoption-statistics.
Sources & references
21 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+9 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)