The issue of adoption is certainly a touchy one.  It is never fun to find out from your parents that you are adopted. Maybe you have experienced this, or maybe you know someone who has. Currently, well over 1 million adopted children are living in America. A recent survey found that 6 in 10 Americans have personal experience with adoption. This means either they are adopted themselves, have a friend or family member that was adopted, did adopt a child, or have given a child up for adoption.

Chances are you might not be too happy lending a lot of money to a friend or even letting him/her borrow your best gold chain. You’re just not sure that you will ever get it back. But it’s no sweat to lose some cash, a necklace or any other of your possessions. This is no comparison to the loss of your baby. Yet, large numbers of teenagers do just that. They give up their babies for adoption.

There are a couple of reasons why teens and even older birthmothers don’t keep their babies. Some are frightened by what looks like a never-ending job of being a mother. They worry about how they will be able to do it all…take care of their baby, earn enough money for food and clothing, and provide a place to live. All while going out with friends and having fun living their own lives.

Some adolescents feel they’re just too young to be parents. They worry about being able to finish high school, attend college, or obtain a good job while caring for a child. Some young women know they can’t expect too much from the baby’s father or even from their own parents. This makes them feel insecure and scared about having to “go it alone financially, emotionally and socially.

However, most teenagers who choose to give their babies up for adoption do it for one reason. They believe it’s the best chance for the baby! For one reason or another, the soon-to-be mothers feel they aren’t able to give their offspring the love, support and future he or she will need. They believe the kindest thing they can do for their newborn is to have him or her adopted into a loving family. One that is able to give the attention, affection, and guidance every child wants and deserves.

Choosing to give up her own flesh and blood is probably the most difficult decision any birthmother can make. Before you or anyone you know decides that adoption is the best solution for you and the baby, it’s a good idea to talk your feelings over with someone you trust. That could be a parent, guidance counselor at school, a social worker, someone who has given up her child, or adopted individuals that you know.

Knowledge is power! The more information you can get about adoption, the better able you will be to have the power to make the right choice for yourself.