With families across the nation experiencing recession-related financial pressures, adoption agencies have noticed an increase in the number of women who are choosing to place their babies for adoption. According to a May 19 article by USA Today writer Wendy Koch, the increase in women who are opting for adoption includes those who already have children:

Many of these women are in their 20s and already have at least one child, says Joan Jaeger of The Cradle, [an adoption agency in the Chicago area] ... She says 30 percent more women are inquiring about placing a child for adoption than a year ago.

"The economy has made them take a second look at adoption," says Scott Mars of American Adoptions, a private agency in Overland Park, Kan. In the past year, he's seen a 10 percent to 12 percent increase in women inquiring about placing a child for adoption and a 7 percent to 10 percent increase in actual placements, as strong demand for healthy infants continues to outstrip the supply. ...

"Our phones are ringing off the hook," says Vicki Saporta of the National Abortion Federation, which represents abortion providers. She says calls to her group's hotline have nearly tripled in the past year, many from women whose families have lost jobs.

The majority of women who place their children for adoption in the United States stay in touch with the child's new family, Koch reported. "In up to 90% of domestic infant adoptions," she wrote, "... adoptive parents maintain some contact with birth parents."

Labels: economy, birth-mothers, birth_parents, pressures

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Everyone involved in the adoption process is vulnerable. The birth parents, the adoptive family, the adoption agency, and certainly the child are all taking on a certain amount of risk before, during and even after an adoption.

"When you take all of that vulnerability, and throw in a whole lot of emotions and big chunks of money, it is easy to understand how easily the situations can be taken advantage of. As much as we like to think that everyone working in adoption is in it because they want to help needy children, the reality is that adoption is a 'job' for many. There are many with good intentions and there are some lacking in the good intentions department."

Some birth parents and adoptive families feel they're at the mercy of adoption agencies, but there are things that can be done to limit the risk and vulnerability. Do plenty of research about adoption agencies and learn what "red flags" to look for. Ask a lot of questions. Don't feel embarrassed or pressured. You're making decisions that will affect several lives, and you have every right to understand the process and have your concerns or doubts addressed. Read more at AdoptionBlogs.com.

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Labels: pressures, risks, vulnerability

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