Teen pregnancy and adoption

This has been a question in my mind for several weeks now. I was watching the "Baby Borrowers" Reunion and on there it said that only 5% of pregnant teens give their babies up for adoption. This was shocking to me because IMO I think for a teen ( particuarily a young teen) adoption seems like one of the best options. Of course I am not saying that it's the right choice for anyone inparticular but in alot of circumstances there is a hard life ahead for both the Mom and baby and even though I understand that it would be so hard ( hard times 1 million) it would be a great thing for alot of reasons. Why do you think the percentage is so low for teen adoption?

IMO if a teen ( I am a teen myself ) is not interested in keeping the baby the FIRST and foremost thing they turn to is Abortion. I don't think there is enough awareness about adoption, and at that point in time abortion may seem like the only option because that way, obviously things work out differently. No one has to know, you don't have to go through with a pregnancy, ect.

IMO it would be tough, I could never do it.

I didn't consider adoption because I'm prefectly capable of making a life for me and my child. Even if I'll need some support the first couple months and it'll be hard, I know I can do it.

Quoting Miss Erica.:“ IMO if a teen ( I am a teen myself ) is not interested in keeping the baby the FIRST and foremost thing ... [snip!] ... No one has to know, you don't have to go through with a pregnancy, ect. IMO it would be tough, I could never do it.”

i agree, was that including pregnancies that resulted in abortion? maybe a hgh percent end in abortion, so that makes the rate of adoption look worse than it really is because they arent couting all pregnancies in there, only the ones that went full term?

Quoting HollsSN:“ This has been a question in my mind for several weeks now. I was watching the "Baby Borrowers" Reunion ... [snip!] ... times 1 million) it would be a great thing for alot of reasons. Why do you think the percentage is so low for teen adoption?”

I honestly think many teens underestimate how hard parenting will be, and I think many underestimate how hard adoption will be and end up changing their minds at the last minute.

Quoting HollsSN:“ This has been a question in my mind for several weeks now. I was watching the "Baby Borrowers" Reunion ... [snip!] ... times 1 million) it would be a great thing for alot of reasons. Why do you think the percentage is so low for teen adoption?”

Because adoption is an extremely selfless act--it involves giving overa person thatyour body has nurtured for 9 months to (in theory)provide a better life for that being.

A teen who doesn't want a baby will generally abort it. Other teens, who think that a baby will love them unconditionally, choose a path in which they care for their child--even if they cannot provide the life for that child that another can. To choose to give your child over to another in the belief that it will lead a better life is both selfless AND an act of blind faith. It is a wonder that any teens do so at all.

Quoting Miss Erica.:“ IMO if a teen ( I am a teen myself ) is not interested in keeping the baby the FIRST and foremost thing ... [snip!] ... No one has to know, you don't have to go through with a pregnancy, ect. IMO it would be tough, I could never do it.”

Yeah...I'm not sure if abortion is in there, I bet it is!

Quoting HollsSN:“ This has been a question in my mind for several weeks now. I was watching the "Baby Borrowers" Reunion ... [snip!] ... times 1 million) it would be a great thing for alot of reasons. Why do you think the percentage is so low for teen adoption?”

Well, it depends on the details of the study. I know you probably don't know the answer to this, but these are the first questions that came to mind for me:
Were these percentages of pregnancies, or births? Abortion could account for a percentage.
What age group was studied? "Teen" is a vague term. That could mean anyone ages 13-19, or 12-18. In this case, I'm already married (have been for 2 years) and I'm pregnant, and wouldn't consider adoption because I'm more prepared than others.

Most teens get the maternal instincts, and are attached to the child in the womb, just like we are. We can see great teenage mothers, though there are the bad ones. I could never imagine parting with my child, even if it meant a harder life for me.

i have no clue. I mean if i knew icouldn't take care of my baby when I have her I would totally consider adoption. But I know I can handle it.It's a great option for some people. I think that clinics and stuff just make it way to easy 4 girls to get abortions now a days. Or they can just leave the baby with family and still do whatever the hell they want.

being a teen mommy myself i can see why some teens would want to keep their own child. i am 18 have a high school diploma and will be starting college this coming month. i dont think there is a "right age" for you to become a mommy. a first time mom will strugggle at any age. i am mature enough to care for myself and yes i feel i could have waited a bit to get pregnant but i am in a stable relationship and i have the ability to care for my child. BUT not all teen parents and in my condition and just make mistakes. i think adoption is a GREAT idea but i could never do it. i feel that if we are old enough to have sex then we are old enough to deal with our responsibilites and consequences, the only way i would consider adoption is if i could not financially support my babies NEEDS. so its a touchy topic but the only two thinngs in my mind would ever be adoption and keeping a child. i ONLY believe in abortion if the woman was raped..

ooh i forgot to add, it also doesnt include those babies who are taken care of by grandparents and other relatives, without being legally adopted.

Quoting Dev22:“ I honestly think many teens underestimate how hard parenting will be, and I think many underestimate how hard adoption will be and end up changing their minds at the last minute. ”

Yes! I think that's correct and I think most people ( not just teens or women even) don't realize how expensive a child is.

A friend had two abortions in HS and IMO its like someone else said - no one needs to know (including parents in my friends situation) and they have no attachments to the baby yet, so they don't have a problem making that choice or they do have an attachment and don't want to give the baby up. It seems to be one extreme or the other.

I was going to add that I was a young mom, not a teen mom but I was 21 when I had my daughter so only a couple years from being a teen. And I don't think there is a right answer to this or that any one person should choose adoption but 5 % just seemed so low to me.

I will also say that at 21 adoption never crossed my mind. I wasn't married at the time and wasn't finacially stable but I still kept my daughter. So, I'm not being judgemental.

I am a young mother and even though it is hard its worth it. Thankfully i have a husband(bf when i got pregnant) who has stuck by me through it all and my mom has helped us out. Right now things are hard and moeny is tight but we have a lot of plans and goals. Our lives are a little bit in fast forward so we can give our son a good life but thats ok. I think a lot of young mothers feel this way. Most teens would rather have an abortion than give up a baby for adoption. I don't think its becuase they don't know the facts or how great adoption can be. Teenagers are generally very self centered. They will be thinking more about how its affecting their life body etcthan that child.