"Adoption isn’t easy. It is one of the most complex emotional arrangements

in which an individual can be involved. Yet, of the other options—aborting the child or raising the child as a single parent—adoption is the most child-centered.

It is a healthy, realistic, and sensible choice for all the parties involved."

When Jesus said to His disciples, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me" (Mark 9:37), He was teaching them about putting others and the needs of others first. He was teaching about the greatness of servanthood and sacrifice.

 When a pregnant teen makes the choice of adoption for her baby, she is demonstrating greatness. She is willing to welcome a child so that he or she may be welcomed into a caring and loving family.

 Making an adoption plan for a preborn child is not easy. It takes sacrifice. It brings tears. At the same time, it acknowledges God’s gift of life and is willing to do what is best for that life. Abortion kills a child and forever wounds a mother.

The facts agree.^*

Teens who were adopted at birth are more likely than children born into intact families to live with two parents in a middle-class family.

Adopted children score higher than their middle class counterparts on indicators of school performance, social competency, optimism, and volunteerism.

Adopted adolescents generally are less depressed than children of single parents and less involved in alcohol abuse, vandalism, group fighting, police trouble, weapon use, and theft.

Adopted adolescents score higher than children of single parents on self-esteem, confidence in their own judgment, self-directedness, positive view of others, and feelings of security within their families.

Teenage mothers who choose adoption do better than mothers who choose to be single parents.

They …

… have higher educational aspirations, are more likely to finish school, and less likely to live in poverty and receive public assistance than mothers who keep their children.

… delay marriage longer and are more likely to marry eventually.

… are more likely to be employed 12 months after the birth and less likely to repeat out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

… are no more likely to suffer negative psychological consequences, such as depression, than are mothers who rear children as single parents.