Nashville Scene: If Adoption Rates Grow, so Should Psychological and Legislative Support

Many opponents of abortion tout adoption as a solution for pregnant people who cannot or do not want to parent a child — especially in states like Tennessee that have all but banned abortion. But when a pregnant person is faced with a choice between abortion, adoption and parenting the child, adoption is historically least chosen.

In Tennessee in 2020, 3,306 children were adopted, down from 3,782 adoptions in 2019, according to data from the National Council for Adoption. For reference, the state has around 8,000 kids in foster care currently, and 80,000 births each year. Thousands of families are on wait lists to adopt an infant…

The coming years will likely show a catchup of adoptions that were delayed during COVID-19. It will take years to see whether adoption rates rise post-Roe, though those who work in the field hope to see more support for birth parents and children implemented sooner.

The Adoption Project, which launched in April, looks to expedite the process for birth parents, adoptive parents and children. President and CEO Jeremy Harrell says it was three years between the time his family started a home study to adopt a child and the time the adoption of his young daughter was finalized.

According to state law, a birth mother must go to court to sign over parental rights 72 hours after giving birth. She then has 72 more hours to change her mind. A child then has to be in their adopted home six months before the adoption can be finalized. The Adoption Project would like to see the time until finalization shortened, with another option besides in-person court available to mothers. Some states allow an attorney, a notary and a witness of one’s choice instead. Keep reading from Nashville Scene >