[hrisme]

Since we're discussing Obama in another thread I assume political discussions are acceptable on these boards (barring personal attacks, of course!). I know with McCain the subject of adoption has come up repeatedly, as his youngest daughter is adopted.

His website states "John McCain will seek ways to promote adoption as a first option for women struggling with a crisis pregnancy."

What does he mean by the first option? The first option as opposed to the alternative of abortion? I can agree with that. But the first choice over providing "birthparents" with the resources to parent their child, if they choose to do so? Pretty sure I'm not okay with that one. How will this "first option" mindset effect the adoption community in the long run?

Also from his website:
"In the past, he cosponsored legislation to prohibit discrimination against families with adopted children, to provide adoption education, and to permit tax deductions for qualified adoption expenses, as well as to remove barriers to interracial and inter-ethnic adoptions"

This part sounds okay to me, I'm all for the adoption tax credit & interracial/inter-ethnic placements when a family of the same race or ethnicity can not be found.
But I worry that because he is coming from the point of view of an adoptive parent, he will overlook the rights of the biological parent, and of the adoptee. What is his policy on open adoption records? How does he define "adoption education"?

I guess I have a problem with someone using adoption as a major part of his election campaign and then catering to only one side of the triad! Am I being oversensitive here?

[txrnr]

I don't think you're being oversensitive at all, but if someone chooses to parent, I don't think that the adoption option enters into the equation in most peoples eyes. Only after they consider adoption or abortion do people start looking at other things.

Today, the stigma about being unmarried and pregnant isn't as severe and that's who MOST people think give up their children for adoption. We categorize things nicely in our country. Parenting, go see social services... considering adoption or abortion... go this way and everyone has an opinon.

[hrisme]

In my experience single mothers who ask for help are often directed towards adoption, rather than parenting. Particularly young single parents. CONSIDERING adoption and CHOOSING adoption are two different things, and I think a lot of people miss that! One reason I have a hard time with the term birthmother, as it seems as soon as you start researching an adoption plan agencies label you "birthmother". To me, until the papers are signed you are the ONLY mother!

I guess I just don't see adoption as a first choice, period, so it bugged me to hear it referred to that way. I'm probably reading more into it than is really there (I also have a hard time with the article stating he and his wife "rescued" a child and "raised it as their own"--but can't hold him responsible for a reporter's phrasing!). I WOULD like to know what his stance is on adoptees rights. Actually, I'd like to know that for all the potential future presidents. I know the national child care organization polled them on their policies for early childhood, isn't there some adoption organization that could do the same???

[Nicole28]

His website states "John McCain will seek ways to promote adoption as a first option for women struggling with a crisis pregnancy."

I support that. I'm pro-choice, but I like what McCain is saying here.

Interesting sidenote: I have been searching for any information regarding Barack Obama's adoption policies, and the only solid info. I can find is in relation to adoption is his support of adoption by gay & lesbians. I will have to do more research - I wonder what Obama says about the allowance of adoption-related tax deductions?

[lonni]

First option? I don't like that at all. I wonder if he is assuming all crisis pregnancies will end in either abandonment or abuse, due to his own dd's situation. (wasn't she in an orphanage overseas?)