by Lacey Nix

Created on: July 15, 2008   Last Updated: February 03, 2011

Adoption is the forgotten option. When most women become pregnant they feel that only have two options, have the baby or have an abortion. Adoption is often forgotten in these important moments because it is not talked about enough. If mothers knew just how great adoption can be I believe we could drastically reduce the abortion rate in the United States.

I became pregnant at the age of 15. My first thoughts were of keeping my child or having an abortion. I only considered adoption after a lesson taught during my religion class about adoption. Why is this? Why do women not think of adoption as much as the other options?

It is the nature of adoption itself that makes it hard for birth-mothers and some adopted children to talk about. You do hear many stories of adoptive parents and the joy they feel when raising an adopted child. Because adoption can cause some emotional pain for the birth mother you rarely hear birth-mother's advocating adoption. I am here to change that.

There are many benefits of adoption for the child, birth parents, and adoptive families.

Children

The most obvious reason adoption is great is because it brings a child into this world, as opposed to being aborted, or brought into a family who is unable to care for the child.

Birth Parents

Adoption is a great option for parents who are unable to care for their children, for whatever reason. Many young girls who face pregnancy know that they will be unable to feed, cloth and take care of a baby. Adoption allows them to have the baby and find her a good home. Many people, as well as religion, regard abortion as a sin. Adoption can be a good choice for a young person who feels this way.

For me, adoption was a great path for me because giving my child up for adoption gave my life purpose. I was a misguided teenager headed in the wrong direction. Giving my daughter up gave me the motivation to continue my education, go to college, and follow my dreams. I was able to do this because I did not want to let my daughter down. I did not want her to think I gave her up and then did nothing with my life. I wanted her to be proud of me.

Adoption is also great because if you choose an open adoption you can see and follow your child's life. Having an open adoption helped me to heal from the pain I felt after giving up my child. Today I know that she is happy and well taken care of, and that is a great relief for me.

Adoptive Families

Many women are unable to have children. When faced with such a dilemma, an obvious choice is to adopt a child. Adopting a child can give a childless family the child they have always dreamed of. It can bring joy to a persons life.

For families who do not have the time to take off of work, adoption can be a wonderful choice. They can continue to work, without a nine month pregnancy and still have a child. In foster care, adoption is wonderful because it provides stability to children who are living various places.

There are so many benefits of adoption. As a birth mother I have to say that adoption has changed my life in so many ways. There is no way I would be where I am today without my adoption experience. Giving my daughter up has given my life purpose and meaning. Although adoption can be a very emotional experience, it is well worth it.

Learn more about this author, Lacey Nix.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.