Parenthood

Why do parents want to give their child up for adoption? If you are the loving parent of a child that you can't imagine giving up or if you are considering adopting a child this may be a question that you are asking.

One reason why many women may give up a child for adoption is that they are still very young and do not yet feel capable of properly caring for a child. The modern times have seen an increasing number of teenage girls who are falling pregnant. Many of these girls had not planned this and may have other plans for completing their schooling, college or simply are too young to care for a child. In this case adoption may be the best option for them and for their child.

Another reason why a birthmother may give up a child for adoption is that she may have personal problems with drugs and alcohol which prevent her being a good mother to her child. If in addition to having drug or alcohol problems the mother also does not have the necessary support in raising her child she may find it necessary to give her child up for adoption.

Some birthmothers are caught in an abusive situation and although they feel like they cannot escape themselves (or do not wish to) they realize that this is not the environment to raise a child and so may find comfort by giving their child up for adoption.

Rape and incest are an unfortunate reality today and when a child is born of these relationships the birthmother may find it extremely difficult to come to terms with the situation and may perceive the child as punishment and a constant reminder of the situation she would rather forget. By giving her child up for adoption she is able to provide the best for her child without constantly having to deal with a very painful past.

Birthmothers with mental illnesses may also need to give their child up for adoption. If the mother realizes that with her current mental condition she is not properly able to care for her child and does not have the needed support to help her then she may consider giving her child up for adoption.

There are a number of reasons why a birthmother may give her child up for adoption, ranging from being too young and immature to properly care for a child, to having mental problems, problems with alcohol and drugs, or struggling to forget a painful rape or incestuous relationship. In many cases giving a child up for adoption is a very painful thing for the mother and something which really needs our understanding in these matters and accepting of her decision in what she feels is best for her child.