Options for Pregnant Teens & Women Child Development

 Women’s Right to Choose  What does this mean for teenagers?  Should parent’s have the right to choose for them?  The Man’s Role?  Should men get a choice too?  What would you do?

 Abortion  Adoption  Homes for Pregnant Women

 Choosing to end a pregnancy  Recommend counseling to make sure  Have transportation and a supportive person  Cost can be $  Medical Abortion with medication if in the 1 st 7-9 weeks  2 visits  99% effective  Surgical Vacuum Aspiration if in the 1 st 14 weeks (5-15 minutes)  1 visit  99% effective  Usually resume activities the next day

 Abortions were approved by the U.S. courts in 1973 with the Roe vs. Wade court case  Worldwide million legal abortions are reported every year  There are also ILLEGAL abortions every year, worldwide  Biggest issue is the term “viability”. How soon can a child live outside of a mothers womb?

 In most states, teens under 18 must get parent permission or have parent’s contacted before procedure can take place  This can be excused by only a judge in certain circumstances  It is illegal and extremely dangerous to get an abortion after the 1 st trimester (14 weeks)  13% of women die  Illegal abortions are almost unheard of in the US

 Adopt an infant or older child through international adoption  Adopt an infant child through domestic adoption  Adopt an older child through domestic foster care adoption  All adoptions require a home study  Background checks  Financial checks  Fingerprinting  Personal Evaluations

 Over 120,000 adoptions each year  51,000 were UNRELATED  10,000 adopted from abroad  Can Have Public or Private Adoption  Public: Child is aware and open to knowing family and biological family can contact them  Private: Biological family CANNOT contact them until child is 18  Costs  Can range from 2,500-30,000+

 Can find profiles of Hoping to Adopt Families AND Children who want to be adopted at Adoption.com  Tons of Adoption Agencies in Iowa  Faith Based: Bethany Christian Services, Catholic Diocese  Private: 4 R Kids, Adoption Connection, Avalon

 Maternity Homes  Ruth Harbor on in Des Moines  Bethany House (Bethany Christian Services) Bethany.org  Dorm like housing for women who are pregnant and do not have any other types of support  Popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s  Offer: Counseling Adoption Services Job Training Food, Shelter, Transportation and even Schooling

 Based on your personal beliefs and interests, do you believe you are Pro-Choice or Pro- Life?  State 5 Reasons for your Opinion  Then come up with at least 5 questions you would like to ask our guest speakers on Tuesdays  TURN INTO THE INBOX!!!!!!!!!!