Who Are Birth Mothers in Texas?

When you think about birth mothers and who she is as a person, what comes to mind?  

Sadly, much of the knowledge you may or may not know about birth mothers stems from societal stereotypes and how the media portrays birth mothers in films, TV, and popular media outlets. Yet, stereotypes and preconceived notions do more harm than good when understanding who birth mothers are, the lives that they lead and why they choose to place their baby for adoption. That said, Adoption Choices of Texas is here to help set the record straight, as we work with birth mothers from all walks of life and celebrate them each and every day.

If you are a birth mother, please let us know if you resonate with any of the following information, and if there is anything else you feel we should add. 

How old are women who choose adoption? 

A very common stereotype around birth mothers is that they are all high school-aged girls around the age of sixteen. This misconception is very common in the mindset of the general public, especially with the media’s portrayal of birth mothers in movies, like Juno. 

In reality, though, women of all ages can find themselves unexpectedly pregnant and choose adoption.

Are women who choose adoption Single or Married?

Birth mothers also do not have a specific relationship status. In fact, many birth mothers are not even in a relationship. This can be a major factor in why birth mothers may place their child for adoption. Parenting is a difficult journey to take with a couple, and it can be even more challenging for a single mother to go through alone. 

On the flip side, birth mothers can be in a relationship or happily married as well. Some of them may be raising children already and still choose adoption due to financial or other issues. Or, perhaps, she and her partner or spouse don’t want to be parents, making adoption a great option for them. 

Are women who choose adoption addicted to drugs? 

Substance addicted birth mothers is another one of the most common stereotypes and misconceptions about women who place their baby for adoption. This is propelled by misinformation and fear. It is an unfortunate and inaccurate generalization of who birth mothers are. While many may fit into this category, it’s unfair to put them all into this line of thought.  

Whether or not a birth mother has had a substance addiction problem in her past or present is not an issue when it comes to placing her child for adoption. She is choosing adoption out of love and putting the needs of her child above her own. This brave and selfless action should be treated with the utmost respect. 

What do women who choose adoption do for a living? and Are birth mothers educated? 

Another common stereotype surrounding birth mothers is their professions and education levels. This ties into the misconceptions around birth mothers’ ages. Society tends to depict birth mothers as young women who do not have a ‘good’ job. They may make minimum wage and therefore they cannot afford to have a child. 

While this may be true for many birth mothers, it is important to know that birth mothers can have a variety of professions and education levels. She may graduate from high school and college and proceed to graduate school, where she obtains her Ph.D. degree. Birth mothers can be doctors, lawyers, teachers, essential workers, police officers, or women in the military. She can be paid a range of salaries and live a wide array of lifestyles.

In other words, smart women who are making a life for themselves and choose to place their baby for adoption because they know they can’t give him or her their best chance at life. 

Birth Mothers are Anyone and Everyone!

Birth mothers can come from a variety of backgrounds, lifestyles, and socioeconomic levels. However, societal stereotypes that are too often portrayed by media outlets have created misconceptions about who birth mothers are. Stereotypes can weigh heavily on birth mothers and cause them to feel shame and guilt. 

It is important to remember that stereotypes that surround birth mothers are just that. Stereotypes! 

Birth mothers can be a variety of ages, relationship status, and have a variety of professions and education levels. There is no right background or current life situation to have to be a birth mother.

Birth mothers are human and no matter who they are, they deserve to be treated with love, respect, and dignity!

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!