News

Wednesday November 3, 2010


Campaign Launched to Promote “Heroic” Choice of Adoption in Canada

By Thaddeus M. Baklinski

OTTAWA, November 3, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A national campaign to draw attention to the “heroic” choice of adoption for women with unplanned pregnancies has been launched by LifeCanada, an organization focusing on public education on the value of human life.

(To find out more about this campaign, click here)

November is National Adoption Awareness Month in Canada. While almost 60% of unplanned pregnancies result in the woman choosing to parent her child, 40% end in abortion, and less than 2% of single Canadian women facing an unexpected pregnancy will place their children for adoption.

LifeCanada explained in a press release announcing the campaign that for many adoption is a frightening and unthinkable prospect. For some, it means “giving up” their child to complete strangers and never hearing about them again. These beliefs are based upon misinformation says LifeCanada, and this campaign will provide the facts about all the choices women have.

“Birth parents deserve all of the information available about this choice [adoption],” said project director, Anastasia Bowles. “They need to know that times have changed. They need to know that open adoption — where the birth parents select the adoptive families and negotiate future contact and involvement — is common practice today. They need to know that there is help for them and there are people who will support them.”

“We hope to change attitudes with this campaign,” Bowles added, saying that adoption is a “difficult, but heroic, choice.” She lamented the fact that in the past “adoptions were secret, shame-filled proceedings,” and that “adoptees and adoptive parents often suffer due to painful misconceptions and negative stereotypes.”

Life Canada’s campaign “challenges those misconceptions,” said Bowles, “and highlights the fact that adoption can be a positive, albeit sometimes difficult, journey for all involved.”

The Adoption in Canada campaign is targeted specifically to women aged 18 to 29 years who are facing an unforeseen pregnancy and who may never have been told about adoption and the resources that are available to help them make an informed choice for the life of their child.

Anastasia Bowles stated that the campaign is the result of exhaustive research.

“Numerous birth parents, adoptive families and adoptees were interviewed, as were those who work in adoption-related fields. The end result is an ad campaign designed by those who understand the issue,” Bowles said.

“It includes a comprehensive website for birth parents with information, links to support groups, a toll-free helpline, and video testimonials from those whose lives have been touched by adoption. The website is a valuable learning tool for those facing unforeseen pregnancies who might not otherwise consider adoption.”

MP Maurice Vellacott, who sits on the Human Resources Parliamentary Committee, which has just undertaken a study on adoption in Canada, praised the campaign.

“The Adoption in Canada campaign helps to raise awareness of infant adoption in Canada,” said Mr. Vellacott. “The campaign promotes respect for adoptive families, adoptees and especially, birth parents, recognizing that all have a unique and important role in strengthening Canadian families and communities.”

For more information visit the Adoption in Canada website here.

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