The numbers say it ALL...

INTERESTING FACTS & STATISTICS ON OPEN ADOPTION

Women who chose adoption: 

* Are MORE likely to finish school and obtain a higher level of education.

* Attain BETTER employment, earning more than twice the per ca pita income and achieving greater financial stability.

* Are LESS likely to receive public assistance.

* Are MORE likely to marry in the future - and when they do, they are more likely to delay marriage until an older age.

* Report a high level of satisfaction with their decision to make an adoption plan. 

-49% of American pregnancies are unplanned. 4 in 10 of those end in abortion. That translates into 1,234,800 abortions EACH YEAR from unplanned pregnancies!

Children who are adopted:

* are all around us... 2/3 of American have had a personal experience with adoption and approximately 7% of Americans are adopted.

* LESS likely to  have divorced parents.

* often score high on indicators of well being including school performances  friendships, volunteerism, optimism, self-esteem, and social competency, feelings of support from others, and low levels of anxiety.

* are LESS likely to have high risk behaviors such as alcoholism, depression, vandalism, group fighting, police trouble, theft, weapon use, driving or riding while drinking, and not wearing a seal belt. 

* are AS WELL integrated into their families and schools as children who are not adopted. 

* OFTEN have a greater range of childhood experiences and opportunities than would have been available had the child not been adopted. These include higher standard of healthcare, access to higher education, and greater family stability. 

Other interesting facts/statistics:

(via bravelove.org)

* 99% of adopted children ages 5 and older know that they were adopted. 

*Nearly 3 OUT OF 4 adopted children ages 0-5 are read to or sang to everyday. 

* 9 OUT OF EVERY 10 people said they would "DEFINITLY" make the same decision to adopt again. 

* Over 50 % of all adopted children eat dinner with their families at least 6 days per week. 

*9 OUT OF EVERY 10 adoptive couples said the relationship they share with their adopted child is " very close."

* 100% of ALL birth mothers have the right to choose the amount of openness in the adoptive relationship. 

Per The Elliot Institute: 83% of women who struggle after an abortion say they would have made a different choice if they had had support from a partner, family member, or a friend.