Placing a child for adoption is not something to be done without forethought. Expectant parents relinquish their children for many different reasons. These include homelessness, financial hardship, age, moral beliefs, or not being able to be a single parent. The conclusion to give up a child should be made based on the feelings of the expectant parent, not those of friends or family.
Laws regarding adopting vary by state. Today, open arrangements are available that permit ongoing contact between the adoptive and birth families. There are different levels of openness, the most open version characterized by visits between both parties. In a semi-open arrangement, letters and pictures are exchanged without personal contact. Adoptions classified as closed do not permit ongoing contact between the families.
Another aspect that varies by state pertains to the matching and placement processes. In some states, open adoptions are not legally binding, so the adoptive family could commit to an open arrangement and then close the process without a reason or warning. Some states allow private matching or permit adoptive parents to provide financial support to the pregnant woman.
It becomes clear that much research is required before deciding on the proper arrangement. Another important consideration is the involvement of the father of the child. It the father and mother are not together, the father still must be informed of the plans. If he refuses to sign the Termination of Parental Rights document, the process could slow down or come to a halt.
Having emotional support during the research and decision-making process is important. Some women opt to keep their pregnancy under wraps but this can make a stressful situation more difficult. The support from others throughout this time can make the experience a more positive one. Professional counseling may also be helpful in reaching a difficult decision.
We have also covered adopting if you are disabled, click here for more info on that.
