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Texas Abortion Restrictions

Can adoption replace abortion? Experts say it’s a lot more complicated than it sounds

Experts on adoption and abortion say lawmakers must work to provide financial and mental health support to birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees in order to make the adoption process a better option for those with unwanted pregnancies.

Scarlett Anderson in front of their home in Austin on Aug. 1, 2022.

“Adoption doesn’t do what abortion does. It does not end a pregnancy, it does not relieve the burden of pregnancy, it does not avoid the health risks of pregnancy, it does not alleviate the psycho-social harm of relinquishing for adoption. It is not at all a substitute for abortion.”

— Malinda Seymore, a law professor at Texas A&M University School of Law who researches and teaches adoption law

Family outcomes

Grief and trauma

“I just would like for [adoption] to not be talked about as an easy option.”

— Rory Hall, executive director of Adoption Advocates, Inc.

Unacknowledged problems 


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