There is a stereotype about women who place children for adoption. It is that they are young, unwed, possibly drug-addicted women. While there are women who place their children for adoption that fit this description, the stereotype doesn’t hold true for many of the women who place their children for adoption. Who are these women? The answer is that they are women from all backgrounds and life experiences. Here are five quick examples:

1. They don’t want another child

Many women who place children for adoption already have children. That’s right. They are already raising children in loving, stable households. They simply do not want to raise another child. For example, a mother of three children may not feel financially stable enough to raise an additional child. Many of these women choose to place their child for an open or semi-open adoption so they can have some contact with the child without the stresses associated with parenting another child.

In another circumstance, a mother might already have children but they have been removed by Child Protective Services for any reason. In this case, having another child, she might fear the same and/or be incapable of providing for a new baby.

2. They are young

Many young women place their children for adoption. But they don’t necessarily place them for adoption because of mental or drug issues. They often simply do not feel ready for motherhood, whether it is because they are too young or because they want to be able to support themselves financially before raising a child. Placing a child for adoption allows these women to focus on college and their careers while providing their children with a safe and loving home.

3. They are older

Many older women who find themselves pregnant may also place their children for adoption. There are many reasons why an older women may want to place their child for adoption. Maybe she already has children, maybe she cannot afford to raise another child, or maybe she does not want to start raising a child at an advanced age. Adoption allows these women to control who raises their child and the amount of contact they have with them while they grow up.

4. The birth father isn’t around

Some mothers choose to place their child for adoption because the birth father isn’t around. For example, a birth mother may find herself pregnant after ending her relationship with the birth father. She may also have a poor relationship with the birth father. She also may not feel ready to be a single parent. Women in these situations often place their children for adoption to make sure they are raised in stable two-parent homes.

5. They can’t afford a child

Many mothers place their children for adoption because they can’t afford to raise a child. Raising a child is expensive. Some estimates place it as high as $230,000 to raise a child from birth to age 18. This also doesn’t account for college, graduate school, or medical emergencies. Women who can’t afford a child often place their children for adoption because they know there are prospective parents who can afford all of the costs of raising a child.

There are unlimited reasons why women place their children for adoption. The reasons, just like the women, are very different, in unique situations. Yet they all have the same goal: to place their children in a stable and loving household. Visit Adoption Choices of Missouri for more information.