It would be nice if we each had a crystal ball to show us how our lives would turn out depending upon the choices we make. Although no one has a crystal ball, relevant statistics can predict how members of a certain group may behave. The National Committee for Adoption (NCFA) conducted a research study of young women who created adoption plans for their children and this is what they found:

Young Women who create adoption plans . . .

Tend to delay marriage longer.

Generally complete some kind of vocational training.

Seldom rely on welfare.

Have higher educational goals.

Tend to live in higher-income households in the years after the adoption was finalized.

Are less likely to live in poverty.

Do not get pregnant again as quickly.

Finish high school more often.

Are more likely to be employed, and at better paying jobs.

Though statistics don’t represent all birth mothers who create adoption plans, it is encouraging to note that of the young women involved in this research study, those who choose to create adoption plans for their child were more likely to follow these positive trends.

The circumstances leading to you consider adoption are temporary.  Your finances might change.  You may meet a wonderful guy that would marry you and raise your child as his own and be a great father and husband.  Your next boyfriend may beat your child.  You may graduate from college and get a great job and be able to support a child.  You may never get back to school.  You may struggle with finances forever.  You may feel you will never be able to give your child anything but love.  And that may be all that is really important.  It may be enough that you can make this decision based on that alone. No one can predict how things will turn out.  You need to make a decision based on how you feel about where you are in life right now, your ability to parent right now, your ability to parent 1, 3, 5, 10 years down the road.  Do you feel that your child will be in the best place with you or with an adoptive family as you traverse down this road?  You are making decisions for 2, not just yourself.  What choices and decisions will you make now that will help you to avoid being in a situation where you have to make this decision again?

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