What is Putting a Baby Up for Adoption Like Today in Oklahoma?
By Ryan Yau
If you are a pregnant woman considering options for your baby, adoption can be a great choice. Today, adoption can be chosen at any stage of pregnancy and is widely accessible. Chances are, you will be able to find an adoption agency near where you live.
However, you may be wondering how adoption has evolved over the years. While the adoption industry has existed for more than 100 years, there have been many changes along the way. Ultimately, these changes have made adoption a better experience for both the birth parents and adoptive parents.
Moving Towards Private Adoption
One big change is that most adoptions nowadays are private adoptions. A private adoption is any adoption that occurs completely between the birth parents and the adoptive parents. An adoption agency can help by connecting the two parties, as well as by providing various services. This is in contrast to public adoption, where children placed for adoption will live in a foster home until adoption.
The shift towards private adoption indicates a general trend towards allowing more accessible adoptions and greater control from the parents. Here are some ways in which private adoption has changed over the years:
The Birth Mother Has More Control in the Adoption Process
One thing that has changed is the amount of control the birth mother gets in the adoption process. You have greater control over the type of adoption you choose and your child’s adoptive family. Furthermore, you can provide input via an adoption plan. An adoption plan outlines any financial or medical assistance you may need, as well as other services like counseling.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma can help you throughout the entire adoption journey. We provide you with the assistance of an adoption specialist, who will help you plan your adoption. While we provide support, we make sure that you can confidently and securely choose an adoption that satisfies your needs.
Greater Transparency in the Adoption Process
Alongside more input from the birth mother is greater transparency in the adoption process. Private adoption agencies can communicate directly with both birth parents and adoptive parents to make sure everyone is on the same page.
There is also more transparency when it comes to choosing your child’s adoptive family. Any families looking to adopt will be screened and interviewed to ensure they can provide a child-friendly environment. They will also need to be stable financially, so that they have the resources to raise a child. Upholding these standards ensures that you will be more satisfied with your adoption and assured that your child is in good hands.
More Open Adoptions
Open adoptions have become more popular in recent years. In 2013, adoption agencies in a survey reported that 95% of adoptions handled were open. An open adoption is a type of adoption where the birth parents exchange contact information with the adoptive parents. Instead of relying on the adoption agency as a middleman, the birth mother can directly contact her child’s family.
While open adoption is popular, adoption is a very personal decision and should be considered as such. There are other options based on how much contact you want to establish with your child’s family. In a semi-open adoption, you do not receive the adoptive family’s contact but receive updates from the agency. In a closed adoption, you do not receive any contact or information from the adoptive family.
Less Stigma Around Adoption
For a long time, mothers who choose adoption could be stigmatized as selfish or lazy. Thankfully, the sentiment around adoption is becoming more positive, and this contributes to more openness within adoption. What to do with your child was always a personal choice, but many factors could influence the actual choices available. Nowadays, with less stigma around adoption, it is easier to make the decision on your own terms.
In fact, to the contrary of that stigma, we believe that adoption is a selfless act. By choosing adoption, you act selflessly by carrying a child and giving others an opportunity to raise one. Some adoptive parents may be unable to have their own children, and rely on adoption to be able to start a family. Ultimately, this can only be seen as a selfless act.
Putting a Baby Up for Adoption in the Present Day
If you are leaning towards or have chosen adoption, Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is here to help you with the entire adoption process. We can help answer any questions you may have about choosing adoption today. Contact us now!
