On our first blog entry, we received a comment from Joi regarding adoption and teen moms:
I am a former high school teacher turned teen pregnancy presentor. Started a program 6.5 years ago talking to teens about the 3 options they face if they are in an unplanned pregnancy. Use this site quite a lot for facts, ideas, etc. Would like to know why adoption doesn't get much of a mention here?
Joi's comment is actually a pretty common one in our circle and every so often we are asked about the prevalence of adoption among teen moms. While adoption is obviously another option for teens if they face an unplanned pregnancy, the fact is that less than 3% actually choose adoption - fewer than 12,000 each year. In the absence of government statistics on adoption, and the small number of adoptions that occur, research on adoption, including the reasons for adoption and consequences of adoption (for both mom and baby) is rare.
So, while movies such as Juno might suggest that adoption is a common alternative to teen pregnancy, most teenagers decide to keep their baby and take on the daunting task of raising a child themselves at a very young age.
Ok... so shouldn't we be trying to change that instead of accepting that reality?
I think a movie like Juno raises awareness that adoption is in fact a great option. The movie does the job it needs to do: raising awareness of this option among young people.
This blog post reminds me of Bill Clinton's similar fairy tale remark during this election season.
I think it's more important to raise awareness, promote options, and remain optimistic than simply admit things are a "fairy tale" based on current statistics.
Adoption is a great option for some and we fully support and encourage those who make this choice. However, the focus of the National Camapign continues to be on primary prevention.
AFter speaking to over 7,000 high school students each school year, hundreds of them tell me via open-ended survey instrument that the choices facing a pregnant teen are very hard. Therefore, they don't see sex as worth the consequences. That points to the need to educate teens about the options truthfully and let them see just how hard these choices are. My program allows them to do just that. Not talking about adoption and the other options is not a good way to prevent teen pregnancy when it is glamorized everywhere a teen looks. Seeing first hand the reality of these choices allows them the chance to weigh the cost of sexual activity.
it is sad to read the statistics of teenage pregnancy but adoption should be a topic for discussion as well. There are so many married couples who cannot have children on their own, and if the young teen cannot give the child everything she possible could, adoption is a wonderful way to help others.having adopted a child myself, I am so grateful for the birthmother and am so overjoyed I have a child.
If the choice of adoption were given as much positive reinforcement as prevention, then the "fairy tale" might have a chance at becoming reality for many more teen moms and hopeful parents-to-be.
As the mother of an adopted child, I'm one of the very grateful few for whom the fairy tale actually came true.
I wish with all my heart that Faith's birthmom had the kind of public support for her choice as the teens today who visit your site and act responsibly as a result.
To teach abstinence and prevention alone is only doing half the work. Pregnancies still happen. As much as I admire the National Campaign's mission, I feel that discussing consequences and choices without including adoption is, well, a bit irresponsible. If it's not this organization's focus, then whose should it be?
I am beginning my 8th year of education in the public and private high schools of my state and 3 others that illustrate the extremely difficult nature of the choices involved in an unplanned pregnancy. With 7 years and 30,000 students under my belt, I can say with assurance that these kids "get it" once they hear the reality of the choices. It makes them realize just how hard each of the 3 really are. This is our best tool at prevention. If not, then why would MTV spend so much time and capitol on their "16 & Pregnant" show and last summer's NBC special which The National Campaign sponsored. We must educate them on the options. Show them the truth about each option and they will see that this is a life-affecting, future altering decision.