The Department for Child Protection recognises that, in most cases, children are best raised within their own families.
Sometimes a parent may feel unable, or unwilling, to care for their child.
Not all birth parents considering relinquishing their child are young and single. They may be in their teens, 20s, 30s or 40s. Many are in a relationship with the other parent of the child.
Some reasons why a parent may choose adoption
There are many reasons birth parents choose adoption. Some reasons birth parents name are:
- family and social pressures, especially related to the birth parents’ cultural background
- not feeling ready to take on the responsibilities of parenting at that stage of their life
- not wanting to raise another child
- emotional trauma related to the conception of the child.
For most birth parents, the decision to place their child for adoption has been carefully made. Birth parents usually believe they are doing what is best for their child.
The birth parent will not be pressured to make a decision either way
Social Workers within the Adoption Service appreciate the mixed feelings that birth parents have when they are considering relinquishing their child. The allocated social worker will support the birth parent without putting pressure on them to make a decision either way.
For more information see: