We Must Do More to Promote Adoption as an Abortion Alternative
Did you know that, despite public support, adoption is rarely chosen by women facing unexpected pregnancies? Pro-abortion propaganda and a lack of understanding about adoption lead many women to see abortion as a more compassionate option. As we work to save preborn babies, we must address this trend.
Democrats tragically argue that “adoption is not a substitute for abortion.” These arguments overlook the traumatic effects of abortion and disregard that adoption offers loving families the child they’ve always dreamed of.
One huge issue is women often associate private adoption at birth with the foster care system.
In private infant adoption, birth parents get to choose the adoptive family themselves and get to know the new family throughout their journey. Experts estimate at least one million families are waiting to adopt infants in the United States. Mothers who choose adoption can rest assured their child will have a loving family from birth. Often, they can also choose to stay in touch with the adoptive home, which eases concerns about their baby’s well-being.
REACH PRO-LIFE PEOPLE WORLDWIDE! Advertise with LifeNews to reach hundreds of thousands of pro-life readers every week. Contact us today.
Foster care, on the other hand, usually involves state intervention due to abuse or neglect. Foster care is meant to be a temporary situation for a child, with the ultimate goal of reuniting the biological family before adoption can be considered. When people confuse foster care and private adoption, they may cause birth parents to feel unnecessary fear and jeopardize a child’s chance at life and hope for a forever family.
Many women are unaware of the modern adoption process and how they truly get to choose where they feel their precious baby would thrive most.
Recent research by Elizabeth Kirk, J.D., and Ryan Hanlon, Ph.D. reveals that less than 1% of unintended pregnancies end in adoption. This shocking study shows for every 70 women who choose to parent, 50 will seek an abortion, and only one will choose adoption. While thousands of loving families are waiting to adopt, thousands of babies are having their lives taken through abortion.
When birth moms receive detailed information, they are more likely to feel confident and consider adoption as a loving option. That’s where Texas Right to Life comes in.
Babies and families urgently need new state laws to provide accurate adoption information, increase support, and ensure that all mothers can make informed choices for their child’s upbringing.
To address Texas’ adoption crisis, we will push for these legislative goals in the Capitol in 2025:
- Create an Adoption Awareness Campaign
Include adoption information in high school curriculum, CPS paperwork, and in hospitals to eliminate the stigma surrounding adoption, especially the misconception that it is a “second choice” or less compassionate decision than abortion. - Require Detailed Adoption Information
Ensure that expectant mothers receive comprehensive adoption information, especially from medical professionals interacting with women facing unintended pregnancies. - Expand Pregnancy Resource Centers’ Support for Adoption
Fund pregnancy resource centers to provide specific, updated information and referrals to adoption services. - Strengthen Post-Placement Assistance
Offer support to birth mothers, adoptive families, and children after the baby has been born and grows up. This can include counseling and access to community resources that help navigate the complex emotions and transitions in adoption. - Ensure Openness in Adoption Processes
Increase options for open adoptions, allowing birth moms to stay connected with their children, which can ease fears of separation and provide ongoing assurance.
Texas can make a lasting difference for babies and families by promoting adoption.
Partner with us to ensure that every Life is valued, and every little one has a place in a loving family.
LifeNews Note: Ashley Leenerts writes for Texas Right to Life