Adoption: Another Winning Choice
- Apr 14, 2009
Each year, nearly 3 million women and girls become pregnant out of wedlock. Faced with the decision of what to do next, they typically are presented with two options: bring the unborn baby to term and raise the little one to adulthood or take the life of the unborn child through abortion.
Yet there remains a third option, adoption, often overlooked or simply an afterthought of such pregnancy discussions. Placement for adoption would appear to be a logical choice for many who are unwed and pregnant. There appears also to be demand to adopt. An estimated 10 million American couples “would likely attempt to adopt an infant domestically if they felt they had a realistic opportunity to do so,” notes Cheryl Wetzstein, quoting a report from the National Center for Adoption in her April 12 Washington Times article “Last Days of Adoption?”
But the sad reality is that, while the number of abortions in the United States each year tops 1 million, only about 6,800 babies are placed for adoption, reports Wetzstein. That represents just 1 percent of babies born to single mothers, a considerable drop from 9 percent prior to 1973, the year of the infamous Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Meanwhile, some 20,000 international children are adopted by Americans each year, as are roughly 50,000 American foster children. Still, a reversal of declining domestic adoption rates could be on the horizon.
That’s one of the goals of the Pregnant Women Support Act. The bill’s main intent is simple: to reduce the number of abortions by providing unwed mothers with resources to help them financially, emotionally, and physically to bring their child to term.
The bill would make grants available to adoption centers and establish a toll-free telephone number to direct women to organizations that provide support during pregnancy, including information on adoption centers. It would also make adoption information available to women whose babies are prenatally diagnosed with conditions such as Down syndrome. Additionally, it would increase and make permanent the adoption tax credit. Women and girls who intend to keep their babies would be helped in many similar ways, such as assisting pregnant students with child care through colleges and universities.
A competing bill known as the Prevention First Act is being sponsored by pro-choice legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). While this bill includes a few similarities to the Pregnant Women Support Act, it would funnel untold amounts of money to abortion providers. It seems entirely illogical to try to reduce the number of abortions by funding organizations that specialize in them.
Most Americans—President Obama included—are agreed that we need to reduce the number of abortions. We ought, then, to agree to pursue ways to promote life, not fund its destruction. Whether keeping a child or placing him or her for adoption, granting life is always the winning choice.
If you agree, please tell your representative and senators to cosponsor the Pregnant Women Support Act (S. 270/H.R. 605) and to oppose the Prevention First Act (S. 21/H.R. 463).
Further Learning
Learn more about: Family, Children, Parenting, Adoption, Mothers, Life, Abortion, Citizenship, Legislation