Shotgun Adoption

[ccharles000]

Carol Jordan, a 32-year-old pharmacy technician, was living in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1999 when she became pregnant. She'd already decided against abortion, but she was struggling financially and her boyfriend was unsupportive. Looking through the Yellow Pages for help, she spotted an ad under "crisis pregnancies" for Bethany Christian Services. Within hours of calling, Jordan (who asked to be identified with a pseudonym) was invited to Bethany's local office to discuss free housing and medical care.

Bethany, it turned out, did not simply specialize in counseling pregnant women. It is the nation's largest adoption agency, with more than eighty-five offices in fifteen countries.

When Jordan arrived, a counselor began asking whether she'd considered adoption and talking about the poverty rates of single mothers. Over five counseling sessions, she convinced Jordan that adoption was a win-win situation: Jordan wouldn't "have death on her hands," her bills would be paid and the baby would go to a family of her choosing in an open adoption. She suggested Jordan move into one of Bethany's "shepherding family" homes, away from the influence of family and friends.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090914/joyce/single

[Massacure]

1. That article was a great read and very eye opening.

Thank you for posting it. :thumbsup:

[grace0418]

2. "You're the one who spread your legs and got pregnant out of wedlock," she told Jordan. "You have no

...right to grieve for this baby."


:mad: :puke:

Judgmental right-wing pieces of shit make me sick.

[Creena]

3. I know! What a sick bitch!

I read that and needed to take a moment to calm down.

We need a slap smiley...

[im1013]

4. Wow.

Just when I didn't think I could possibly hate the right-wing, jesus-freak nutjobs any more
than I already do.

:puke:

[Liquorice]

5. That organization should be shut down. They're manipulating women and stealing their babies. nt

[ccharles000]

6. kick

[Joanne98]

7. We need Congressional hearings on this.

THIS IS CRIMINAL!

[marshall]

8. A friend of mine was born five decades ago in a Catholic set up like this

Her mother moved to another state and lived in a home for unwed mothers. Food, housing, clothing, and healthcare was provided. Then after my friend was born her mother told them she changed her mind and she left with the baby. She was under no obligation to pay back anything. It can be done, or at least it could be back then.