Why Do People Give Their Kids up for Adoption?

Too Young

• Many who relinquish a child into the adoption system do so because of their age. A young teen does not have the resources to take care of a child emotionally or economically. Some parents who would have the resources to assist their young mother encourage adoption, feeling their daughter isn't prepared for the rigors of motherhood and also to open the door to a future, including educational opportunities, which are more difficult to obtain while caring full-time for a child.

Unable to Provide

• Some mothers who give up their children may not do so right away. They may keep their child for months, even years. However, as time goes by they realize the strain of providing for their child's and their own needs takes a toll. They may find themselves unable to provide not only emotional support because they are constantly working, but also basic food, clothes and medical care. Putting their child's needs ahead of their own, some mothers give up their children so they can go to families who can provide for their needs in a way she cannot at that time.

Death of Provider

• Death often forces unwanted situations into a family setting. After the death of one or both parents, if other family are unable or unwilling to provide for the child, that child will be given up for adoption. Sometimes a mother, when faced with the death of a partner, finds herself in a position of not being able to deal with her own grief, not being able to provide what her child needs due to a drastic change in circumstances and gives her child up for adoption.

Addictions

• Mothers with addiction problems to drugs or alcohol, may be persuaded by family members that, for the well-being and safety of her child, the child needs to be given up for adoption, often within the extended family. At times social services may intervene, giving those with addiction little choice in the matter when the well-fare of the child is at stake. While many of these children go into foster care, other mothers take the step of actually giving up their parental rights.

Special Needs

• Some mothers find themselves totally unable to care for a special-needs child. They find themselves exhausted and without medical and social resources needed to give their child all the assistance needed for the best life possible. In order to provide the care needed both physically and emotionally, these mothers give up their special-needs child to adoptive parents better able to care for the child.