Re: LM_NET Digest - 17 Nov 1994 - Special issue

[Anitra Gordon <agordon@EDCEN.EHHS.CMICH.EDU>]

Topic Use of terms teenage girl and keeping the baby
I wrote a review for SLJ and wrote "If a teenage girl becomes pregant
her options-abortion, adoption, or keeping the baby are explained.  Open
and closed adoptions...
I was criticized for the use of 3 terms.  "One who is old enough to
become pregnant is not a girl, but a young woman. Acknowledging that pregnancy t
 akes one from childhood to the brink of adulthood help those involved
...understand its import..  Using phrases such as keeping the baby reinforces
the concept of children as possessions rather than the
responsibilities and focuses on the needs and wishes of perents whereas the the
expression parenting the baby focus es  on the best interests of  the
chid and makes it clearer that this choice carries with it significan
ongoig responsibilities.  "  The writer prefers the term confidential
 to closed for adoptions.  Closed, the writer states, implpys
implies that "those choosing confidentiality are in some way harming
children"  The writer represents an infertility and adoption publisher.
I'd appreciate your comments.  I have to write a reply to this letter.
Both will be in SLJ.
This company offers a free, with SASE fact sheet including "Speaking
Positively: An Information Sheet about Adoption Language..  Write
Perspectives Press/ PO box 90318/ Indianapolis, IN 46290-0318
--
Anitra Gordon
Lincoln High School Library/7425 Willis Rd. Ypsilanti, MI 48197
313-484-7020  Fax 313-484-1212