What determines the number of children available for adoption?
Fewer women are placing their children for adoption than in the past. After abortion was legalized in 1973, a sharp drop occurred in placement rates among white women; rates for minority women who place their children have remained relatively stable. The continuing decline in placement rates also reflects the diminishing stigma attached to unwed parenthood. In addition, the proportion of teens placing their children for adoption has declined sharply over recent decades. Other factors influencing the numbers of placements are the declining pregnancy rate and increasing use of contraceptives.
Fewer women are placing their children for adoption than in the past. After abortion was legalized in 1973, a sharp drop occurred in placement rates among white women; rates for minority women who place their children have remained relatively stable. The continuing decline in placement rates also reflects the diminishing stigma attached to unwed parenthood. In addition, the proportion of teens placing their children for adoption has declined sharply over recent decades. Other factors influencing the numbers of placements are the declining pregnancy rate and increasing use of contraceptives. Research has not shown that women are choosing to abort their children rather than place them for adoption. Although the adoption rate has remained relatively steady, nationwide abortion rates have continued to decline since 1990. Skyrocketing use of drugs and alcohol, leading to higher numbers of drug-exposed children, has been targeted as a primary factor in the increase in children placed in out-
