How Strong is your Interest in Adoption?

While adoption is a time-honored practice, it is least often considered as an option by women facing unintended pregnancies. Interestingly, a well-known study of Dr. Mech, entitled the "Mech Adoption Interest Inventory," indicated that 40% of "pregnancy counselors" did not even raise the issue of adoption with pregnant clients. Further, the study found that of the 60% who raised the issue of adoption, 40% provided inaccurate or incomplete information. This simply must change. A woman facing an unplanned pregnancy is entitled to have knowledge of all available options, including adoption. This will help her to make a fully informed decision as to whether or not to parent.

Here are some of the findings of Dr. Mech's study of pregnant women, interviewed from health clinics:

• 43.82% would be interested in meeting with other girls who are pregnant to discuss how to make decisions about resolving a pregnancy.
• 14.81% would be interested in talking with other girls who have chosen adoption for their child.
• 19.13% might consider adoption if they thought it would help them finish school and get a job that they wanted.
• 31.48% might consider adoption if they thought their child would have a better chance in life with another family.
• 17.90% would be interested in talking with a family who had adopted a child.
• 21.60% would be interested in talking to someone who was adopted.
• 12.34% might consider adoption if they could meet the prospective adoptive parents.
• 19.13% might consider adoption if they could have a part in choosing the adoptive family.
• 12.96% might consider adoption if they could see their child once in a while.
• 17.90% might consider an adoption plan only if they could have information (pictures, progress report) of their child growing up and knew everything was all right.
• 14.81% might consider adoption if they thought in the long run it would help them reach their own vocational and career goals.
• 20.98% might consider adoption if they were sure that the adoptive family would give the child love, security and a good home.

What are your thoughts on these findings?