Top 4 Myths about Birth Mothers that You can Stop Believing
When you choose to place your child for adoption in Texas, you are making a brave and selfless decision. But, society can often make you and other birth mothers feel as though your actions are made from a place of selfishness, regret, and giving up.
This is the farthest thing from the truth!
Common stereotypes are spread throughout all aspects of society that can do damage to a birth mother’s emotional and mental well-being. These stereotypes have been around for decades and continue to cloud how the public views birth mothers and, more importantly, how birth mothers view themselves. So, here are four myths about birth mothers that you can stop believing!
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.
- Myth: Birth Mothers are Selfish & Don’t Love their Children
A common myth and stereotype that you may hear is that birth mothers are selfish and don’t love their children. While someone may have not said this directly to you, the attitude and language used to describe birth mothers may make you feel that you are acting from a place of selfishness. But, your actions say otherwise! You are making the decision to place your child from a place of an immense amount of bravery and selflessness. It is a choice that takes a lot of time, thought, and energy. It is not a spir of the moment decision that is made on a whim.
Just because you place your child for adoption does not mean that you do not love your child. Adoption does not mean that love goes away. In fact, placing your child for adoption is the greatest act of love that a birth mother can make. We know that you want what’s best for your child and hope that he or she grows up happy, healthy, and content!
- Myth: Birth Mothers are Giving Up
One of the most common myths that you may hear about birth mothers is that they are “giving up.” This myth is usually spread with the language used to describe adoption. When people talk about adoption, the phrase that you may hear used a lot is “birth mothers giving up their baby.” This is negative rhetoric and does not accurately demonstrate birth mothers or why they place their child for adoption.
You may give up dairy, meat, alcohol, or smoking. You do not give up your children.
You are not giving up by choosing adoption. You are making a brave decision from a place of love.
- Myth: Birth Mothers are either all Druggies or Teenagers
Another myth that is far too often attached to conversations about birth mothers is that birth mothers are druggies and between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. You may have seen this myth perpetuated in media platforms, such as TV and movies, that depict birth mothers as promiscuous teenagers or drug addicts. Yet, this is an incredibly false representation of who you are as a birth mother.
It is true that some birth mothers deal with substance abuse. But, if you are dealing with substance abuse issues, that does not make you inadequate as a birth mother. We all have issues that we are dealing with. It does not define who you are, though, and we at Adoption Choices of Texas will not look at you any differently.
Yes, some birth mothers are teenagers. But, contrary to popular belief, the majority of birth mothers range from the ages range of twenty to thirty. Many are also raising at least one child of their own. Hearing myths that birth mothers are only promiscuous teenagers who have ‘made a mistake’ may give birth mothers a warped sense of self. You may feel like you have made a foolish choice that only teenagers make. But birth mothers come in all different ages, shapes, sizes, and colors. There is no shame in being a birth mother!
- Myth: Birth Mothers Regret Their Decision
If you have decided to place your child for adoption, you know that it is, without a doubt, the hardest choice that a woman can make. It is a sad fact that a common myth associated with birth mothers is that they will eventually regret their decision.
This myth is too often shown in soap operas and movies. Birth mothers are depicted as showing up suddenly and wanting their child back. While this is true that some birth mothers regret their decision, this is a very small percentage of birth mothers.
This myth implies that you have not thought about your decision thoroughly. But, adoption is a long process. There is plenty of time for you and other birth mothers to think about their decision. This choice comes with a lot of stress, anxiety, and possibly depression. Implying that a birth mother has not thought about her decision is simply false.
Top 4 Myths about Birth Mothers that You Can Stop Believing
You are making a selfless and brave decision when placing your child for adoption. But, society can often make birth mothers feel as though their actions are made from a place of selfishness, regret, and giving up. This is most commonly spread through myths and misinformation about birth mothers.
These are many of the myths about birth mothers you can stop believing! They do not represent birth mothers as whole — or who you are. These stereotypes have been around for decades. It is through adoption agencies, such as Adoption Choices of Texas and other organizations, that these myths can be dismantled and disassociated with the adoption world altogether.
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: Sarah Henderson can best be described as someone with an eclectic taste in all things related to literacy and writing. She can be found reading a wide array of subjects from true crime novels to the next young adult fantasy series. Because of her love of literature, it has been Sarah’s dream to become a novelist herself.
After graduating from college in 2019, Sarah has been spending her time planning, researching and writing for her first novel. When she isn’t reading or writing her novel, you can find Sarah out for her early morning run, hiking a three-plus mile hike or cooking her favorite vegan meal. She presently lives in Indianapolis, IN and is waiting for the next chapter of her life to begin!
