Profile of a birth mother

Jennifer Bliss, PsyD Adoption Expert, what the major misconceptions about birth mothers giving their baby up for adoption are and explains the main characteristics that all of them share
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Profile of a birth mother

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There is a lot of misconception as to what the profile of a typical birth mother is. Obviously, all types of women place their baby up for adoption. One common thread that you will see -- Although their personalities vary as much as anybody else walking down the street. There is a similar thread of strength and selflessness because of the pain that a person who is choosing to place their child, voluntarily, up for adoption. It's not because they don't want their child. I've never met a birth parent who is not maternal. It's that they love their child so much, that they know the type of life they want their child to have, even if it means they can't give it to them. A typical birth parent really isn't in their young 20's, which surprises a lot of people. The amount of maturity, strength, and perspective it takes to be able to go through with this. It's unusual when a teenager has that. It is very special and teenage moms continue to amaze me everyday. The average is young 20's, just getting their life started, and would have to completely derail their plans in order to be a parent; which might not be in the best interest of their child anyway. An open adoption allows them to continue with their life plan and choose the type of life they want their child to have.

Jennifer Bliss, PsyD Adoption Expert, what the major misconceptions about birth mothers giving their baby up for adoption are and explains the main characteristics that all of them share

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Jennifer Bliss, PsyD

Founder of Bliss Adoption Services

Dr. Jennifer Bliss has dedicated her career to adoption education and support. She specializes in providing clinical services for all members of the adoption triad, including adoption education/consultation and pre/post adoption relationship support. Throughout her career, Dr. Bliss has been passionate about educating the public on best practices in adoption and the psychology of open adoption. She is also the author of a new book on open adoption, Another Choice: A compassionate Guide to Placing a Child For Adoption.
Dr. Bliss received her BA in Psychology and BS in Education from University of Southern California. She went on to earn her MSW from UCLA and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Ryokan College. Dr. Bliss has supervised adoption counselors across the country and has spoken on the psychology behind open adoption at universities and statewide conferences. She has also appeared as the open adoption expert on radio programs, podcasts, television shows and was the primary adoption consultant and featured counselor on WEtv's 4-part documentary series, "Adoption Diaries.”

 

www.BlissAdoptionServices.com

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Transcription: 
There is a lot of misconception as to what the profile of a typical birth mother is. Obviously, all types of women place their baby up for adoption. One common thread that you will see -- Although their personalities vary as much as anybody else walking down the street. There is a similar thread of strength and selflessness because of the pain that a person who is choosing to place their child, voluntarily, up for adoption. It's not because they don't want their child. I've never met a birth parent who is not maternal. It's that they love their child so much, that they know the type of life they want their child to have, even if it means they can't give it to them. A typical birth parent really isn't in their young 20's, which surprises a lot of people. The amount of maturity, strength, and perspective it takes to be able to go through with this. It's unusual when a teenager has that. It is very special and teenage moms continue to amaze me everyday. The average is young 20's, just getting their life started, and would have to completely derail their plans in order to be a parent; which might not be in the best interest of their child anyway. An open adoption allows them to continue with their life plan and choose the type of life they want their child to have.