by Rena Sherwood

Created on: July 03, 2008   Last Updated: April 26, 2009

There are millions of children already on the earth who need parents for some kind of stability in their lives. They need help now. And many adults have the instinct to take care of children. This is usually why they have their own kids. But with overpopulation depleting the planet's resources, many may choose to not have their children but adopt, although the urge not to breed can be hard to fight. Both adults and adoptive children can fulfill needs and help to save the environment.

But I Didn't Plan On Getting Pregnant!

Sex happens, whether we want to have kids or not. The rise in teenage pregnancy is always alarming, no matter how little the percentage rises. Modern teenagers (and arguably, modern adults) cannot adequately take care of a baby. An April, 2009 report from Reuters shows that since the economy worsened, women of all ages are getting abortions.

Unfortunately, our species is geared to have children wile we are teenagers. Life expectancy was a fraction of what it is today. Our DNA doesn't understand that it has to wait until we are adults mentally (and financially) before we can even contemplate having children. Our DNA tells us to seek a mate NOW and adds many exclamation points to that command.

You are not a bad person if you are pregnant and do not have the resources to raise a baby. By being honest about your situation, you not only save yourself, but your family and the baby a lot of suffering by putting your baby up for adoption. You could also opt for abortion, but in many North American families, this is not a viable option.

Reducing Suffering

Imagine if you had and kept the baby and you are a teenager or extremely poor and without any kind of support. Keeping the baby will not only drive you crazy, but you will be so tired and stressed that you can easily make mistakes that can hurt you and the baby. You will also inevitably wind up resenting the baby. This is especially true if you have been disowned by your family and are by yourself.

But you are not alone. There are people who's jobs it is to help someone in your situation. Talk to your doctor, your counselor, a teacher or a welfare worker. Just talk to somebody. You'll see that options are available. With adoption, an immediate advantage is for you knowing that you can eventually get a second chance at leading the life you want to lead.

The person who adopts your baby will be just as overjoyed as if she (or he) gave birth to the child. They have the resources to be sure a baby can have access to all of the things it needs in order to grow up healthy hand happy. Adopted children grow up just like any other child.

Adoption is one way you can help ease the suffering of the world, or at least your immediate community. If you decide not to have your own children, you can help ease the loneliness and confusion for a child who needs a home. And if you are pregnant and cannot take care of the baby, then adoption makes the best of a bad situation.

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