tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9196316261585940971.post9116979459704849005..comments2023-07-06T06:04:07.849-07:00Comments on Sister, Daughter, Mother, Wife: One More Way to be Pro-LifeAnna Mussmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11631139113615066986noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9196316261585940971.post-66561959263428982162017-02-09T10:54:11.574-08:002017-02-09T10:54:11.574-08:00I get what you are saying. On the one hand, we rec...I get what you are saying. On the one hand, we recognize that adoption involves loss, and that the best outcome for a child is to be raised by his or her own parents whenever possible. We believe in the importance of mothers and the mother-child bond. We need to be careful not to say, "Oh, just adopt/give the baby up for adoption," as if it were a pain-free, zero-cost choice. On the other hand, it is unfortunate if a "soft stigma" against adoption stops a woman from considering adoption as an emotionally viable option in situations where it might be the best outcome for her and her child. <br /><br />There are a lot of children who grow up in challenging circumstances. It might appear that poverty is the problem. Yet I think the bigger problem is the lack of fathers. Kids in two-parent families are statistically far more likely to thrive. Couples who marry and remain married are statistically more likely to do better emotionally and financially. In the past, I suspect more single women considered adoption for their babies because they wanted their kids to have fathers. Yet nowadays, many kids, especially kids in lower income brackets whose parents have lower levels of education, don't live with their fathers anyway. The culture is so accustomed to single motherhood that it feels normal. (This is not, of course, intended as dismissive of the great love and self-sacrifice with which many single parents raise their children). <br /> <br />If we want to help these kids--those whose mothers considered abortion, and those whose mothers didn't--perhaps more of our focus should be on supporting the idea of marriage and fatherhood. Perhaps there should be more programs to help the MEN so that they can support families and live healthier, more stable lives. That, at least, might be the start of something very helpful. My two cents. Anna Mussmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11631139113615066986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9196316261585940971.post-44594519890076856332017-02-09T10:11:23.023-08:002017-02-09T10:11:23.023-08:00Thank you, Sarah. It means a lot to hear you say t...Thank you, Sarah. It means a lot to hear you say that. Anna Mussmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11631139113615066986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9196316261585940971.post-2418634416444147102017-02-08T19:10:44.179-08:002017-02-08T19:10:44.179-08:00There are several pro life agencies in our area th...There are several pro life agencies in our area that help young women make the choice to NOT have an abortion. None of them, however, encourage adoption as an option. Instead, they help mom finish school, get them financial resources and parenting classes, and help support them through the pregnancy and birth. Then, these women who didn't want to have a child end up deciding to keep and raise the child, but more often than not, are single parents, living with their own parents, perhaps, or trying to work their way through motherhood on a meager income. Praise God for their choice to give life to their child, but I wish they would, at least, consider adoption in these agencies. It is one of the most selfless sacrifices a mother can make in deciding she is unable to raise her own child. I have a hard time expressing this without sounding crass, but it's how I feel. Any thoughts on this?momahahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07522987373217288614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9196316261585940971.post-31260277443717765032017-02-07T22:04:55.367-08:002017-02-07T22:04:55.367-08:00Excellent post, Anna. You nailed it in all your po...Excellent post, Anna. You nailed it in all your points. I appreciate the truth you convey. Too often this issue gets muddled and the arguments don't go to the heart. I can testify of this God Who redeems all wrong and Who has paid the price, having been adopted into an imperfect family, yet was loved, and having been adopted by a perfect and gracious God. Thank-you for shedding much grace and hope through your pro-life message! Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04338927075656501045noreply@blogger.com