Accurate Adoption: Combatting Common Misconceptions About the Kansas Adoption Process
In a world where even the most plaguing questions can be answered with a click or a swipe, it can often be difficult to know what information about adoption is accurate and trustworthy. Between the various posts, pages, and opinions that are spread via laptops and lips, you may come across a few inaccuracies about adoption when looking for unplanned pregnancy help. Here at Adoption Choices of Kansas, we want to set the record straight on six popular misconceptions found in the Kansas adoption process.
If you need adoption help now, please call us at 877-903-4488, text us at 316-209-2071, or visit us at Adoption Choices of Kansas.
Misconception 1: By “giving up” your child for adoption, you are giving up on them/letting them down
This is one of the most prevalent misconceptions about private adoption in Kansas, often stemming from the language used in the adoption process. When agencies and databases use the term “give up” to refer to the decision to put your child up for adoption, they are in no way suggesting that adoption means you cease to care for your child. As harsh as this language is, it is widespread in the adoption world. Therefore, most agencies continue to use it to attract birth mothers to the proper resources. Again, the phrase is in no way reflective of your efforts as a mother.
Many mothers have extenuating factors such as financial or safety concerns that lead them to choose adoption. For many, the decision to place their child up for adoption is often a complex and selfless one. By recognizing that you do not have the means to properly raise the child, for whatever reason that may be, you are opening up both your life and theirs to greater opportunities. “Giving up” truly means “giving more.”
Misconception 2: Birth mothers are addicts or single teenagers
While it is possible that some birth mothers may be struggling with addiction or are young and unmarried, they are by far not the only characteristics of individuals who look into adoption. Just like the rest of our society, birth mothers cover a wide range of economic, educational, ethnic, and social backgrounds. You should never feel like you will not be eligible or suitable for adoption because you do not fit a certain image or come from a particular past. At Adoption Choices of Kansas, we work with women of varying backgrounds and experiences to accommodate their unique set of circumstances and place their children in loving homes.
Misconception 3: You cannot put your child up for adoption if you do not know who the birth father is
It is not uncommon for birth mothers to come into the adoption process not knowing who the birth father is. If this is the case for you, adoption is still very much a possibility. We understand, however, that not having a partner in the adoption process can make you feel deserted and frightened, which is why Adoption Choices of Kansas is dedicated to being there to support you every step of the way. Our team will ensure that you have the resources needed to complete the adoption process without the birth father. We can also provide you with a few ways to address the absence of your partner with your child when they are older. Although you may not have a partner by your side, you will not have to go through the adoption process alone.
Misconception 4: You will regret giving your child up for adoption in Kansas
Very few mothers who choose to place their child up for adoption feel any remorse or regret later on. And why should they? As a birth parent, you are free to live a fulfilled and enjoyable life, knowing you did what was best for you and your child. This is not to say, however, that adoption is painless and easy. Choosing to place your child up for adoption is one of the hardest decisions a parent can make. However, by the time you choose a Kansas adoption, you have gained the knowledge and support needed to properly decide what is best for your situation.
Although it may feel that after your child is adopted, they can no longer be a part of your life, that is not the case. In fact, several birth parents choose to maintain a connection and correspondence with the adoptive family through Adoption Choices of Kansas. Most of these families exchange letters and photos at least once a year until the child is eighteen. There will never be a reason to lament the choice to adopt when both your child and you have a happy and healthy future.
Misconception 5: Birth parents do not need as much support as adoptive parents
While it seems that most support groups and therapies are directed towards adoptive parents, that does not mean that birth parents do not require support. As mentioned, many birth parents deal with natural feelings of loss and grief during and sometimes after the adoption process. At Adoption Choices of Kansas, we understand that placing your child up for adoption can be emotionally taxing, which is why our team aims to be supportive and compassionate to all of our birth parents. We can also provide anyone looking for professional therapy, post-placement counseling, and support with the resources they need to feel reassured and comfortable with their child’s adoption.
Misconception 6: Your child will not know they are adopted until they are an adult
The idea of keeping an adopted child’s origins from them until adulthood stems from a period in which adoption was not as common and accepted as it is today. Over ninety percent of modern, adoptive parents inform their children that they are adopted by age five. And with the positive culture that surrounds contemporary adoption, there are more resources than ever to introduce a child to their past, ranging from picture books to animated shows and movies.
Plus, Adoption Choices of Kansas can help provide professional methods of explaining a child’s adoption to them. If you choose an open adoption, the earlier your child discovers they are adopted, the more time there is to foster a connection with them and their adoptive parents. Today, being adopted is no longer something to hide until their eighteenth birthday but rather something you can all be proud of.
Making A Better Informed Decision When Giving Your Child Up For Adoption
At Adoption Choices of Kansas, we aim to provide all prospective birth parents with honest and reliable information. With any life-changing act, such as adoption, it is crucial that you are given the knowledge required to make the best decision for you and your family. The above misconceptions are only a few that exist in the adoption industry, so make sure that all of your research is conducted with reputable sources such as Adoption Choices of Kansas. After all, a few credible facts today can make for an effortless adoption tomorrow. So don’t wait, start working towards a better future today!
Adoption Choices of Kansas serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more!
Call Us 877-903-4488 or Text Us 316-209-2071
Meet the Author: Peter is a writer and editor based in New York. Currently studying at Binghamton University, Peter is majoring in English Literature and Rhetoric. Whether working with Marketing Choices or the mental health blog, Runaway, Peter seeks to provide comfort and warmth to those around him through his writing. A huge advocate for change, Peter looks to promote adoption, mental health awareness, disability awareness, and environmental improvement. Forever looking to make meaningful connections, Peter can be found with a group of friends or going on walks and waving to anyone he passes.