Why Consider Adoption

If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, one of your available options is adoption. Adoption, by definition, is the process of having your baby raised by a family with all the advantages life has to offer.

To many who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, the concept of adoption is not something with which they are familiar. Movies, television shows, books and the media all portray the subject in a rather sensationalized manner. The good, run-of-the-mill stories are ignored while the scary ones are featured on our newscasts. How then are you supposed to know what adoption is really like as you begin making decisions for you and your child? Furthermore, how do you know if adoption is the right path for you and your child?

Birth parents have placed their children for adoption for any number of reasons over the years. It is hard to pinpoint any one reason to choose adoption for your child. While one expectant parent might not find an issue with a certain circumstance, another might find that same issue to be the main reason for their decision to place. While it is a very personal decision, there are some issues that we see time and time again when expectant parents are considering adoption for their child.

1. Financial issues are always a big reason.
Some parents feel that without a stable income, they cannot provide their child with the type of life they feel that their child deserves. It can seem overwhelming to suddenly have another person who depends on you not just financially but emotionally. Maybe you already have children who depend on you emotionally and financially and cannot care for another child.

2. Finding a two parent household is also another big issue for some parents.
In a perfect world, every parent who conceived a child would want to be present and emotionally invested in that child's life. Unfortunately that is not the case. Some expectant mothers experiencing an unplanned pregnancy find themselves without a present, invested partner rather early on in that pregnancy. Due to personal, moral beliefs or even past experience, some feel that having a two parent home is an absolute must for any child that they are bringing into the world.

3. Some expectant parents feel that their age and inexperience in life would give their child an unfair disadvantage.
While the average age of a relinquishing mother is in her early 20's, some are younger. (And some are older.) The recognition of the need for things like a high school diploma or a college degree to properly provide for a child is reasons that younger parents might consider placement.

4. A complete lack of support from family members is yet another reason some parents consider placement.
While some mothers and fathers are able to continue on with their education after an unplanned pregnancy and decision to parent, it is usually due to the help of immediate family members. If your own parents have all but thrown you out of the house (or, in some cases, done just that), it may seem very scary to make an attempt at parenting with no help.

There are other reasons, of course, but these are some of the most prevalent ones. Other reasons include things like rape and incest, a disinterest in children, homelessness, wanting to remove the child from an abusive situation or even simply wanting more for your child than you know you can provide now or ever. There are still other reasons that are all deeply personal. No one can or should tell you that your reason for placing are wrong.

In the end, the decision to place a child for adoption is rarely based on one reason alone. Many reasons often come together to form the final decision. It is not a decision that should be made lightly. You could even say that it is not a decision that should be made alone. We are here to talk.