To those unfamiliar with adoption, the process can seem like one huge mystery. There are an unfortunate number of myths circulating the adoption process that can cause prospective birth parents or adoptive parents to shy away from it. Below, the record is set straight on five common myths about adoption — all of them false — so that you can approach your adoption journey as an informed participant.

Myth #1: Adopted Babies Are Unwanted

This could not be farther from the truth. When a birth parent decides to place their child for adoption, it is often the hardest decision they will ever have to make. More often than not, they want to parent the child, but lack the resources, mental health, or support to do so. Their decision is selfless, based on intense concern for the lifelong well-being of their child — not based on a selfish desire to get “rid” of the child.

Myth #2: All Adoptive Parents Are “Couples”

Heterosexual couples are hardly the only option when it comes to the ideal adoptive family. More same-sex couples are adopting today than ever before, and more birth parents are choosing less traditional family structures for their children, including placing their child with a single individual. Many unmarried or unattached adults can provide the same loving environment that a traditional “couple” might, and sometimes these adoptive parents are ready and willing to start the process more quickly than a couple may be.

Myth #3: Private Adoption Is Expensive & Most People Cannot Afford It

While the costs of bringing a child into your home will always be considerable, the fees involved in a private adoption are based on income. Ohio Statutes require that private adoption agencies use a sliding scale to determine the cost of adoption services. This allows families of all income levels to benefit from the customization of a private adoption without drowning in expenses.

Myth #4: Birth Parents Are Paid for Their Baby

This is an ugly myth that has existed for far too long. When a birth mother decides to place her child for adoption, she may or may not receive living expenses from the adoptive family to help her get through the pregnancy. The funds are very limited and are used pay for housing, food, transportation, and medical care. There is no “fee” that is paid to the birth mother for the child, and the birth mother’s decision to place her child for adoption is not dependent on whether or not she receives money for living expenses.

Myth #5: Adoptive Parents Keep the Adoption a Secret From Their Adopted Child

Over the last several decades, adoption — both private and public — has become a celebrated and honored event in a child’s life. Adoptive parents often commemorate their child’s adoption day with a party or special treat for the child. They also tell the child their adoption story over and over, creating scrapbooks and memorabilia collections so their child can know more about their roots. Many adoptive families also celebrate the birth mother as an integral part of their lives, whether that means keeping in touch throughout the child’s upbringing or including the birth parents in major life events. It is rare to find a family that does not acknowledge their child’s adoption and discuss it openly in their home.

Private Adoption Services in Hamilton County, OH, is a licensed adoption agency serving families across the country. They offer adoption services that focus on the health and well-being of the mother and child, and they will help find the ideal family situation for everyone involved. Call their office today at (513) 871-5777 to schedule an appointment. To learn more about the adoption process, visit their website. You can also find the team on Facebook.