For many different reasons there are children throughout the United States who are being raised by older parents--their grandparents. On this site I found the following information:

According to the U.S. 2000 Census, there were close to 2 1/2 million households (emphasis mine) with grandparents raising their grandchildren. Fifty-seven percent of grandparents raising their grandchildren are still in the work force and 17% are living in poverty.

I don't know for certain, but, I imagine that the majority of these families do not become formalized as adoptive families. But, for all practical intents and purposes that's what they are. They are functioning as informal kinship adoptive families.

Are society's attitudes about grandparents raising their grandchildren as their own, different from our attitudes about older strangers who raise another woman's child as their own? That seems to be the case. When a grandparent "takes in" and raises a grandchild, it is viewed as a noble and loving gesture. In many instances it is even expected. The child in question is viewed as fortunate, blessed, or lucky to have someone to love and to be loved by in the absence of his or her parents.

When an older couple, or older single parents, seek to adopt a child then questions are raised. "Why in the world would they want to do that?" "What is she trying to prove?" Also, there is a sense that the child has been done a disservice and has somehow missed out on having younger parents.

Then there is always the mortality question looming. There is a very false sense of security that younger parents will live a long and healthy life and that they will be around to raise their children to adulthood. If you are an older parent choosing to adopt I guess everyone thinks you might drop dead any minute and leave your child without parents for a second time. That may sound logical given the so-called natural order of things. But, as we all know, life is not logical and can be far from orderly. Young mothers die all the time.

If you are an older couple, or an older person and you are considering adopting, don't let your age be the thing that stops you from persuing the joys of parenting. Talk with other older parents who are raising children and get the real scoop. These might include older parents who gave birth to their children, or even grandparents who are raising their grandchildren on a temporary or a permanent basis. Then kick up your heels and follow your heart's desire!