I know this is the most personal of subjects, so if there are no replies, I'll understand.
I know a young woman (not a minor) who is pregnant out of wedlock, and very close to giving birth. She has made all the arrangements to give up the baby for adoption, but is not at all certain that she will follow through, even though she does not currently have a means of supporting herself (has been living with parents), and the father is not on a firm financial footing either (he has said he cannot be a part of her life at the moment, but will support her financially according to his means). In addition, the woman's parents (they are dead set against her keeping the child) have said she may not come home with the baby (they do not want to end up in the position of raising the child).
I was wondering if there is anyone here who has had personal experience with adoption, either giving up a child, or being adopted yourself, or counseling people in this position.
If anyone has given up a child for adoption, do you regret it? Have you made contact with your child, or do you hope to?
If you are adopted yourself, have you faced feelings of rejection or abandonment? Have you made contact with your natural parents, and do you hope to?
As I said, I know this is very personal, and I'll understand if there are no replies.
It seems that this young woman feels that adoption is a "cop-out", a renigging on her responsibility, and she seems to view the idea of "giving away her kin" as a terrible thing. She doesn't currently seem to be accepting the idea that the child might be better off with a stable environment (they have several waiting couples), and that giving the child up to a childless couple could be an act of love.
I don't pretend to know what would be the best thing, it just seems to me that the child might be better off with a couple who are financially stable and ready to be parents.
I hope I've not said anything to offend.