So get the facts, know the options, and help others make a decision that is right for them. Believe it or not, people listen to you. And when the topic

So get the facts, know the options, and help others make a decision that is right for them.

Believe it or not, people listen to you. And when the topic is something as important as pregnancy, your words will make a difference.

www.unplannedgood.org2www.unplannedgoo

d.org

www.unplannedgood.org

First… a few words about our organization and why we want YOU to know about

ALL THE OPTIONS.

3www.unplannedgood.org


We believe that teens should have ALL of the information they need about their options, specifically about adoption.

Unplanned Good provides straight talk about adoption without any political or religious bias.



Why look into doing some Unplanned Good?

BTW, Adoption is an Option

• You are important • Your kids, students & friends listen to You• You influence your school & community • You can make a difference



It’s also important for you to know that Unplanned Good is a:

• California-based non-profit organization• Not affiliated with any political group• Not aligned with either Pro-Life or Pro-Choice agendas




OK. Let’s test your knowledge about teen pregnancy, teen parenting and adoption.

It’s your world. Get the facts.




How many California teenagers give birth each day?


1508 teens (19 & under) gave birth each day in 2007 in California.

Source: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/sfaa/pdf/california.pdf




How many babies were born to teens in 2007 in California?


550,498 babies were born to California teens (19 & under) in 2007




How many abortions did teens receive in 2007?

California teens (women 19 & under) received 204,217 abortions in 2007.

That’s 561 per day, every day, in 2007, in California.




What percentage of teens, faced with an unplanned pregnancy, make an adoption plan for their baby?


<1%


About1% of teen mothers make an adoption plan for their child.

Source: Child Trends, 1995


Are those mostly lower class, poorer teen?



• Women who voluntarily place their children for adoption are likely to have greater educational and vocational goals for themselves than those who keep the babies. • Women making adoption plans often come from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. They come from intact families supportive of the placement. These families have not experienced teenage pregnancies by other family members.

Source: Stolley, 1993


They are just like you.



• California birth mothers who place their children independently tend to be • aged 17 to 30 years old• have no more than a high school education• are not related to the adoptive parents, although many have contact with the adoptive family and were involved in the selection of the adoptive parents. Source: Adoption Trends, by Barth, Brooks, Iyer, 1995


How are California taxpayers involved in teen parenting?


California taxpayers spend $13.3 million each month in (xx% of welfare expenditures) to support families started with a teen birth.

Source:



If given accurate, honest information about adoption, how much more likely would a woman be to ultimately choose to make an adoption plan for her child?


50% more likely that a woman will choose adoption if given accurate information about that choice.

Source: Edmund Mech research for Department of Health and Human Services



In the past 25 years, adoption has changed significantly.

Now, birth parents have control over the adoption process. The old way of doing things (secrecy, no control) is out.

Let’s address FIVE common myths…




mythONE

Pregnant teens have only two choices:•Abortion•Single parenting


1

There is a third choice, one that has been successful for both birth parents and children – adoption.



mythTWO

Adoption is just too difficult.


2There’s no easy answer to an unplanned pregnancy. Adoption is a difficult choice – but it may be no more difficult than abortion or single parenting. Professionals are available & ready to walk birth parents through each step.



mythTHREE

Friends and family would never support adoption… they would think it’s giving up flesh and blood.


3Friends and family are important, but when birth parents decide adoption is the right choice, they should get the support they need – without pressure or guilt.



mythFOUR

Birth parents never know what happens to their babies after adoption.


4

Open adoption allows birth parents to make key decisions, including choosingthe adoptive parents. In many cases, birth parents maintain lifelong communication.



mythFIVE

Adopted kids who have lots of problems.

5

Most kids who are adopted do just fine and enjoy the same warm relationships and sense of belonging as kids who aren’t adopted. Research shows a small percentage of adopted kids, during adolescent years, may struggle with the fact that they are adopted. (Source: University of Minnesota, SIBS, 2008) 22www.unplannedgoo

d.org

Can we find some California data??


Now you know a bit more about adoption.

It’s a good time to listen to some real-life stories.(Note: Pause the PowerPoint presentation to view the “Life Stories” film, or read the story provided in the Presenter’s Guide.)




If you’re still not clear why it’s important for you to understand the adoption option, consider:

Many teens are successful parents. As a society, we need to offer them encouragement and assistance.

Keep in mind, though, that many teen parents have significant struggles which affect the parents, child, society and even YOU.



Children of young single parents are:

• Twice as likely to run away from home• 2 to 3 times more likely to be victims of child abuse• 83% more likely to become parents themselves before the age of 18

Source: “Kids Having Kids: A Robin Hood Foundation, Special Report on the Costs of Adolescent Childbearing.” 1996



Young, single mothers are:

80% more likely to live in poverty.

(Read more about this study at: http://www.robinhood.org/approach/KHK.pdf)



Of young, single mothers:

Fewer than 50% will marry within 10 years.

(Read more about this study at: http://www.robinhood.org/approach/KHK.pdf)



Teens who had been adopted at birth:

• Are more likely to live with two parents. Their parents are half as likely to divorce or separate • Are less depressed than children of single parents and less likely to be involved in alcohol abuse or criminal activity.• Do better in school.


Source: The Search Institute, a public-policy research organization,


Why is this so important? Consider this:

In the U.S. there are:• 50,000 adoptions per year• 1,500,000 babies aborted per year• 2,000,000 couples waiting to adopt at least one child


Sources: The Abortion Factbook, National Committee for Adoption, June 1989;


Knowing the facts about adoption is a great help to other teens. Be there for a friend when facing a difficult decision…

Simply by understanding the ‘noble choice’.



When you want to be there for someone you know,

but need some ideas on how to help:

1. Empower them to get all of the information they need.

Find resources at www.unplannedgood.org.





2. Encourage them to talk with an adoption professional about their options.

Decision-making counseling is available at no charge at agencies throughout the state.

Find a list at itkteens.org.





3. Offer to go with your friend to get more information.





4. Be willing to listen without judgment.






If you hear other people judging your friend’s decision, defend his or her right to choose whatis best for the child.




If your friend is making an adoption plan, you can show your support in many ways, such as:

• Help your friend make a scrapbook for the baby, with pictures of the birth

parents and their families, lists of favorite things, stories and important messages to pass along to the child.• Offer to see pictures of the baby. • Treat your friend to a movie night• Remind your friend how strong and loving he or she is• Listen, listen, listen…




Talk about what you know.

Your experiences and ideas can help others. Start up a conversation on Facebook.Just look up Unplanned Good .




Share what you know.

Show the Unplanned Good Life Stories life stories film to friends, parents, groups &organizations.





Tell people about Unplanned Good Point them towww.unplannedgood.org.




Order informational brochures from Unplanned Good.

P.O. Box 26682San Jose, CA 95129-6682phone: 408-298-1640e-mail: [email protected]: www.unplannedgood.org



Invite an “Unplanned Good” Speaker to make a presentation at your school, youth group, organization or club.

You’ll hear honest stories from people whose lives have been touched by adoption in many ways. The program is free, but the impact of the information you’ll hear is invaluable.

To schedule a presentation, contact Theresa Marcroft, Panel Coordinator, at 408 298 0854 or [email protected]




You get to change the world – make sure you know aboutALL the Options.


Documents

So get the facts, know the options, and help others make a decision that is right for them. Believe it or not, people listen to you. And when the topic