The Important Differences and Similarities between Adoption and Foster Care
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering your options, you may find yourself researching adoption and foster care. You may be wondering at the differences and similarities they have and if one is better over the other — especially in regards to your child. After all, even though you’re not able to raise him or her yourself, you want what’s best for them and ensure that they are placed where they can have a better and brighter future.
While adoption and foster care are a way of providing your child a new home, both have very unique and distinctive parameters. They are not the same by any means, despite that the terms have been used interchangeably before. Adoption Choices of Texas is here to shed some light on the differences and similarities between these two processes to help you make the most well-informed decision for you and your child.
If you need help with adoption now, you can call us at 945-444-0333, text us at 945-444-0333, or email us here.
You have Control over Your Adoption Journey
When you place your baby for adoption through Adoption Choices of Texas, you have full control over the adoption process. This includes, but is not limited to: deciding what type of adoption you want to pursue, creating an adoption plan that meets your needs and hand-selecting your child’s adoptive parents. You also get to make a birth plan that describes how your hospital experience will go when you give birth to your child. You have the support of your adoption caseworker and our adoption counselors every step of the way, and nothing happens without your final say.
With foster care, you don’t have this same level of control. In fact, you have little to none. Everything is determined by the state, as the foster care system is run by the state government.
You get to Select Who Raises Your Child
Through the adoption process, you get to choose who your child’s adoptive parents are. This happens by letting your adoption caseworker know of any particular preferences and wants you have in a family. If you’d rather they be single, transracial, LGBT. If you’d like your child to be raised with other siblings or as an only child. Whatever you envision for him or her, your adoption caseworker will provide you with adoptive parent profiles that best match your needs.
In foster care, the state decides this. Once your child enters into the foster care system, you do not get a say on where your child is placed or how long they get to stay there. You do not get to pre-approved the foster families beforehand. This is all decided by the state.
You Choose to Relinquish Your Parental Rights
After your baby is born, depending on where you live, you have an allotted amount of time before you are required to sign away your parental rights, allowing for the adoption to become finalized in court. However, it is completely your choice to do this. No one will or should force you into relinquishing your parental rights. This also gives you time if you want to change your mind at any point during your adoption journey.
With foster care, you still maintain your rights as your child’s biological parent and legal guardian. You do reserve the right to make decisions for your child regarding their care and wellbeing. However, the state has the power to terminate your parental rights if it’s determined to be in the child’s best interest. This could be that the state sees you as unfit to be a parent or you haven’t met the requirements to reconcile the both of you. In this case, the state puts your child up for adoption.
Between Adoption and Foster Care: Which is Right for You?
When it comes to your child’s health, safety and happiness, it’s important to research and learn all you can about your available options before making a final decision. Every child deserves a safe and loving home. While adoption and foster care are included in those choices, and may seem similar, they are very different. Foster care is temporary. Adoption is permanent.
If you decide that adoption is the best option for you and your child, Adoption Choices of Texas is here to help. We will gladly provide all the information and resources you need, as well as answer all of your questions. You and your child are important to us, and we want to ensure that you both have a successful and positive adoption journey.
As an expectant woman or birth parent, to learn more about adoption, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 945-444-0333, text us at 945-444-0333, or email us here. If you are hoping to adopt, please visit us here. We look forward to helping you through your adoption journey!
Meet the Author: Samantha Wilder is 19 years old and writes fictional stories in her pastimes. While focusing on fictional based stories, she has dipped her fingers into many types of writing such as poetry, essays (both personal and factual), and helped friends in the past prep for blogs. Her writing history began in her 6th-grade year but picked up more drive and passion in 8th grade. She shares her work and assistance to her friends and family who join her in her love for writing.
