Should I Place My Child for
Adoption?
The decision to place a child for adoption is a
difficult one. It is an act of great courage and much love. Remember, adoption
is permanent. The adoptive parents will raise your child and have legal
authority for his or her welfare. You need to think about these questions as
you make your decision.
Have I explored all possibilities?
Pregnancy can affect your feelings and emotions. Are you
only thinking about adoption because you have money problems, or because your
living situation is difficult? These problems might be temporary. Have you
called Social Services to see what they can do, or asked friends and family if
they can help? If you have done these things and still want adoption, you will
feel more content with your decision.
Will the adoptive parents take good care of my child?
Prospective adoptive parents are carefully screened and
give a great deal of information about themselves. They are visited in their
home several times by a social worker and must provide personal references.
They are taught about the special nature of adoptive parenting before an
adoption takes place. By the time an agency has approved adoptive parents for
placement, they have gotten to know them very well, and feel confident they
would make good parents. This does not promise that they will be perfect
parents, but usually decent people who really want to care for children.
Will my child wonder why I placed him (or her) for
adoption?
Probably. But adoption in the 1990's is probably a lot
different from what it was when you were growing up. Most adopted adults
realize that their birth parents placed them for adoption out of love, and
because it was the best they knew how to do. Hopefully your child will come to
realize that a lot of his or her wonderful traits come from you. And if you
have an
open adoption, it is likely that you will be able
to explain to the child why you chose adoption.
Why am I placing my child for adoption?
If your answer is because it is what you, or you and
your partner think is best, then it is a good decision. Now it is time to move
forward, and not feel guilty.
