Adoption

Adoption is a process in which after a mother gives birth to a baby, she chooses to give her parental rights to someone else. Only the pregnant minor can decide to give the child up for adoption. She cannot be forced by anyone, including her parents, to place the child for adoption.

The mother and the father of the child must consent to the adoption. Even if the mother is not sure who the father is or if he lives out of state, he must be involved in an adoption.

There are different kinds of adoption. Open adoption is when the birthparents and the adoptive parents have information about each other and have an agreement to contact each other during the child's life. In a closed adoption , the birthparents and adoptive parents are given some or no information about each other before the adoption, and they agree not to contact each other after the adoption takes place.

After choosing adoption, there are many places available to help the pregnant teen. Some agencies have places where a pregnant minor can stay, generally for free. She can get a doctor's services and a lawyer to handle the adoption process. Many times the birthparents can choose the parents that they would like to have raising the child.

For information on adoption agencies, visit the "Resources" page.

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