OCR Text |
Show nt. Only 16 years olcL Just what are the alternatives for a pregnant non-marri- teenager in the Basin? As experts talk about these options three are listed: adoption, abortion, or to keep the baby. All have emotional side effects of which make the situation even more complicated. Especially for those trying to find out answers to makq what they will feel is the right decision. George Mangan, a lawyer that deals in adoption cases, stated that since the beginning, of the world parents have not known what to do with their children. That abortion and adoption were mentioned in the Bible. Some kings who had twin sons, rather than complicate the process of who would According Perfect Gift for Mother and a tale . r from the Care Bears Our Prices are EQUAL or LESS than in Salt Lake so stop in today! i Place! Vernal that will need . . . mo- ents. Within six months after the baby b bom, the young mother b required to appear in court and. explain to the judge it was in the bat internet of the child that she gave up the rights to the baby. The adoption wfil become final . then. Long before the baby b bom the mother had the right to choose, to the beet of her ability, the kind of family she wanted the child to belong to. She can even go so far as to choose the religion of the family in the private adoption young mother without underestimating the needs of the mother. Mangan explains that he b known for working with adoptions and explained that young unwed mothers come to. him looking for answers. He said that there b no selling of the baby. In other words the baby cannot, be bought but that there are certain costs that can be paid by the adopting family to they "To have companionship, The This Is The ' dear ' until the last ment, said Mangan. If 'not, she wfil sign the papers in the hoepital to release the baby to the custody of the new par- vices, Welfare Agencies (government or private) physicians and lawyers. All agree that what b best for the child needs to be addressed and completely understood fry the these someone to love, someone that needs them. Winn explained that this perception creates an excessively high and unrealistic expectation of the baby, who is actually unable to give any love fin: the first few months. Also when the childs interests turn away from the mother, conflict is felt by the mother. There are other problems associated with an unwed teenager keeping her child. There is a stigma of growing up in a one parent house. Abo the mother, depending on her maturity, resents being tied down. She is limited as to dating, schooling and other activities her peers may be doing. She will even have the problem of finding a boy to accept her and now a third party. She will also become more dependent on either family or welfare. Thu b hard for a young person at a time in her life when and freedom . it b their decision, to Larry Winn, Roosevelt Mental Health, there are emotional problems connected with any of the three decisions a teenage pregnant girl might choose. He explained that the most accepted route for a teenager in the Basin was that of keeping the child. In most cases teenagers perceive keeping the baby fulfill an emotional they have for love havent found yet , tain. Whatever happens, stated Winn. "All we can do b explain all the pro's and con's. They need to weigh it out in their minds and make the decision. There are several avenues one can take in adoptions. There are services offered by adoption agencies like Social Ser- become the next king, had one of them killed. . These choices have been around a long time,", he said. There b emotional stress that b associated with the giving up of a child. Winn said that after she has carried the baby for nine months,, there is an emptiness, a feeling like she has just lost a loved help. He feds, as the agencies one, and also a longing to do, that the mother needs see that loved one that has counceling. She needs to to be addressed. understand the situation, Many times they are so he tries to answer all encouraged to write a questions the mother letter to the child, explaimight have. ning why they were put up Some of the options the for adoption that can be mother has b that she can read in later years when have the baby away from the child might want to the area if it b desired to know something about its leave friends, family or ' mother. Winn said that it b strangers. She will receive no money except that her important for the mother travel, doctor, medication not to minimize the situaand delivery costs will be tion or the guilt that may arise. She should live up paid. She will also have the to what she has done ana option of whether at not to accept her decision and get see and touch the child. In on to some specific persothe hospital the situation ' nal goab that will mainwill be treated as a "no stream her back into no show . ; society. Among some of show, no tell, but tell, or Show and these goab would be tell the. baby to the school, dating, family, and mother. even religious beliefs. She has the right to Mangan explained that bac)c out of the adoption contact can be kept with . 217 1. 1M So., Suit 7 769-523- 1 I Adoption b another alternative that a young unwed mother can entert- - - the child if the mother desires. He handles mail between the natural mo- ther and adopted parents all the time, He said that at times the biological mother faeb better knowing about her child. In general she wants to know now the child is progressing and a bond b created between the two that have never seen each other, acknowledgement of love, a fading of security. : The third choice for a mother that finds pregnant is that of having an abortion. Winn felt that it was a small percentage of pregnant teenagers choose this alternative. There are legal and places in Utah where abortions are performed. It b explained as a five minute same day procedure but , psychologists explain that emotionally there b much mere to it. . The mothers maturity level seema to be higher as they comprehend the ne- of the Stivefryacceptance family and peers. These are also situations like sexual aseault, finding out you are pregnant after and you don't a know what happened, and other situations that the. woman wants to forget about that would allow her to decide to abort the baby. ' Winn explained that a baby b usually representative of something good or represents an experience the mother does not want to forget. Those that prefer to abort the baby, also try to abort the things the baby repre-- . senta. Many women have deep emotional and guilt problems to deal with after the abortion and need much counciling. Others -- non-leg- al big-part- . Continued on page 7 are Old Fashioned Comfort, Quality and Long-Weat an old fashioned price! ar SOLD ONLY AT Shoes Lloyds Vernal Main h.iej - ererrt a . Tbeir Favorite Things. 73 W. . 789-059- 0 m Am fot fit-- ;$ |