Alternatives To Abortion: You Have Options
An unexpected pregnancy does not have to end in abortion. There are other options available. Here are a few alternatives to consider:
Adoption
By transferring your parental rights to another caring, responsible adult, you may be giving your child a chance for a better life. Adoption is often selected out of selfless love and concern for the child. It should never be viewed as desertion.
Adoption is a popular option. Around 4 out of every 10 adults in the United States have considered adopting a child. Nevertheless, the number of children available for adoption appears to be decreasing. Prior to 1973, over 19 percent of the children of unmarried Caucasian women were placed for adoption. However, in the late 1980s through the mid 1990s, less than two percent were made available to adopt.
Adoptions can take place privately or through a reputable agency.
- Private Arrangement: A private adoption is an arrangement between the birth parents and the adoptive parents. The initial meeting of the parents may be set up by various means, such as through a lawyer, an advertisement or a doctor.
- Agency: An adoption agency can be private or public. Private agencies are not funded by the state. Public adoption agencies are government-funded, and they often place children who have been in foster care.
Even though parental rights have been transferred, some adoptions are "open" and still permit contact between the child and the birth parents. Closed adoptions do not permit such contact.
Foster Care
Another alternative to abortion is foster care. The care does not have to last indefinitely. By placing a child in short-term foster care, the baby can enjoy the love and support of a nurturing environment until the birth parents are able to make a decision to parent or place for adoption. Short-term fostering can last a day, or it can remain in place for months.
Keeping Parental Rights
If you decide to keep your child, you may not have to parent alone. You can use the support of extended family members, or you can partner with the child's father to raise him or her. Nevertheless, if the father of your child chooses to forgo his parental rights, you can still parent successfully without the help of a partner. If you are financially challenged, you may be eligible for state-funded childcare and other assistance. In addition, agencies such as faith-based pregnancy centers can offer counseling and infant care supplies free of charge.
If you are pregnant and seeking an alternative to abortion, there are options available. Meet with a qualified counselor to review possibilities and make the best decision for you and your child. For more information, contact Pregnancy Center Of Wayne County or a similar location.