Positive Adoption Language
If positive adoption language is used in presenting the adoption option to teens, it is more likely they will see the adoption option in a positive light.
| POSITIVE | NEGATIVE |
|---|---|
| Planning an adoption for your child | Giving away your child |
| Choosing a family to parent your child | Putting your child up for adoption |
| Placing the child in an adoptive home, relinquishing the child | Giving up your child |
| Birthmother, birthfather | Real mother, natural mother, real father, natural father |
| Birthparent | Real parent, natural parent |
| Adoptive parents | Not the real parents |
| Birth child, child by birth | My child, real child, natural child |
| Our child, child by adoption | Adopted child (always using "adopted") |
| Adoptee, adopted person | Adopted child (when speaking of an adult) |
| Deciding to parent the child, parenting | Keeping the child |
| Child | Illegitimate child |
(Adapted from "The Adoption Option: A Guidebook for Pregnancy Counselors," by Candace P. Mueller, 1986, Project SHARE)
The premier northwest adoption agency completing the most domestic, infant adoptions in Oregon and Washington.
5200 SW Macadam Avenue,
Suite 250
Portland, Oregon 97239
315 West 10th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97401
200 West Mercer Street,
Suite E-508
Seattle, WA 98119
| Oregon: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR: | Phone: (503) 226-4870 | Fax: (503) 226-4891 |
| Eugene, OR: | Phone: (541) 343-4825 | Fax: (541) 431-1241 |
| Medford, OR: | Phone: (541) 608-6134 | Fax: (541) 282-8564 |
| Bend, OR: | Phone: (541) 388-2535 | |
| Salem, OR: | Phone: (503) 540-5832 | |
| Washington: | ||
| Seattle, WA: | Phone: (206) 782-0442 | Fax: (206) 782-0578 |
| Vancouver, WA: | Phone: (360) 254-7236 | |
| Olympia, WA: | Phone: (360) 352-3063 | |
