In the New Zealand town of Tshwane, an adoption agency has noticed responded to the needs of teen mothers in the area, regardless of whether they're considering adoption plans for their babies. Sazi Ledwaba, a social worker with Abba Adoptions, says teen mothers who often feel isolated and overwhelmed need help learning to cope with parenthood.

"She said although her organization specializes in adoption, they soon realized that there were a lot of teenage mothers who did not want to give up their babies but struggled to cope with their pregnancy because of pressure from society and parents."

In response to this need, Abba Adoptions opened House Elizabeth - a residential home for single mothers in the greater Tshwane area. The home gives new teen mothers time to adjust to parenthood and possibly reconcile with their own parents, who may be angry about the teen's unexpected pregnancy. Source: Pretoria (AUS) News

Labels: mothers, assistance, teenage_pregnancy

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

When Patricia Dischler was 21 years old, pregnant and unwed, she knew an adoption plan was the best choice for her baby. But she also knew that she couldn't just let him go, never knowing if he was healthy or happy, so she insisted on an open adoption.

"Keeping the birthmother in the family has become more common since Dischler made her decision more than 20 years ago. But it doesn't mean the concerns - and subsequent scars - aren't difficult to deal with."

Dischler has recently written a book titled Because I Loved You: A Birthmother's View of Open Adoption chronicling her experiences and offering advice to both birthmothers and adoptive families. Her hope is that the book's content will be encouraging to those involved in or considering an adoption plan. Read more at GreenBayPressGazette.com.

Labels: open_adoption, teenage_pregnancy, unwanted_pregancy

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A judge in Ohio has expressed concern over the fact that teenage girls are able to make adoption plans for their babies without the consent of the teen's parents. His comment was made in connection with a court ruling regarding a Canton teen that is fighting to regain custody of her biological daughter.

"Stephanie Bennett has been fighting to regain custody of her daughter, Evelyn, since 2006, saying she regretted her initial decision. Evelyn was only a few months old at the time."

Bennett has also accused the adoption agency, A Child's Waiting, of urging her to run away so that her parents couldn't interfere with her adoption decision. The agency has denied the charge, but is still under investigation by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Read more at Ohio.com.

Labels: teenage_pregnancy, unwanted_pregancy, consent

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments