My Argument Paper

Stefanie Markel
1/2/2012
English Composition II
Maria Mahon
Adoption vs. Artificial Insemination
Argument Essay

When starting a family, parents are given several options. Unassisted pregnancy, where a couple gets pregnant with no outside interference, artificial insemination, or adoption are several options that a couple would consider when deciding to start a family. The two that I will focus on are the latter two, adoption and artificial insemination. Adoption is a special, somewhat heartbreaking subject for me, however, for the sake of this argument, it needs to be addressed. I will touch on the pros and cons of each technique of starting a family. My position is that the decision to adopt or be artificially inseminated is an informed decision that each person should make after reviewing all of the information that one can gather. IF it were me, I would prefer artificial insemination, for of course, my own personal reasons.
The adoption process brings to light several pros and several cons that a couple or single parent would need to consider before proceeding. Before considering adoption, one would need to consider these things, 1.) cost of adoption, 2.) domestic or international adoption, 3.) and cost of caring for child, 4.) opened or closed adoption. One pro of adoption is if you are not able to have a child of your own, there are many children out there that need a home and family to care for them. Depending on the situation a child is in, you may be saving that child from abuse, neglect, poverty, or malnutrition from environmental challenges (if adopted internationally you may see this more so than domestically). On the other hand, it may be a situation of an underage mother that has no help or ability to care for the child. Another pro of adoption is that you would be able to have a child even if you as couple or as a single mother cannot conceive on your own. A con of adoption is that it is expensive; there is a lot that goes into approving someone to be able to adopt a child. And the time that it takes for an adoption to be finalized can take months up to years. The end result of holding a child in your arms is the biggest pro of all. Now a con in the child’s point of view would be not knowing who your biological parents are or your heritage. As a child who was adopted grows older, he/she may have questions that can be difficult at best to explain depending on the circumstances of the adoption.
This is where my experience comes in; however, my experience is an exceptional situation. I was adopted by my maternal grandmother at the age of 10 years old. This was an open adoption. This made things very difficult. My mother did not just have my grandmother adopt and then leave me be. No, she was in and out of my life constantly, usually when it was convenient for her. This made things difficult for my adoptive mother to deal with. This is not usually a normal situation. My children, not by my choice, however, were also adopted last year. The adoptive parents do not allow me contact, this is a closed adoption. I hope to one day change this. (personal experience) While my mother gave up her rights willingly, I did not willingly sign the papers giving up my rights, I was forced to. These are two extreme situations of adoption. When my children get older, they will ask the questions of who they are and where they come from of their adoptive parents, then my hope is that they will come find me so that we may eventually have a mother/children relationship.
The second option that is available for prospective parents is artificial insemination. This is a slightly less expensive option to become parents, depending on what route you take. A pro to this, is that you can become a natural parent, by this I mean the child is yours biologically. Now depending on the situation, you may be seeking to have a child, but do not have a partner. Or your partner (male) may not be able to help conceive a child. These are just two reasons that you would choose this option, there are many reasons, and all are different for different people. In this process, at least one process that is, you can go to cryogenic clinic, select the donor you wish, and have a doctor inseminate you. To choose a donor, select age, race, medical history (personal and family), profession, hobbies. This will bring up donors to choose from.
Another con is that even though you can select pretty much everything about a donor, your child will not look like your partner, and could eventually raise questions later. Another con, as a single parent choosing this option, as your child grows older, they may ask questions that you cannot answer, as well as the question to find their biological father.
In conclusion, of the two options given, each have their pros and cons but they both have a wonderful ending result, a child to love. No matter what choice you choose, remember a child is a precious responsibility and nothing to take lightly. When it comes time for me to choose, it may be possible for me to choose both, having been adopted I do know the benefits to the child in a normal situation. And I would love to experience pregnancy again, although I may not have a partner, I do know that I will have lots of support if I decide to do the second option. I would very much like to give a child a home someday and get them out of whatever situation they are in.

References

Adoption.com, retrieved 1/4/2012 from http://forums.adoption.com/thanks-life/62158-seeking-adoptees-pro-life-pro-adoption-testimonies.html
Adoption.org, retrieved 1/3/2012 from http://www.adoption.org/adopt/pro-adoption.php
Personal Experience of being adopted and having my children taken from me and being adopted by foster parents
LifeScript: Healthy Living for Women, retrieved 1/3/201, http://www.lifescript.com/Health/Conditions/Womens-health/Pregnancy/The_Pros_And_Cons_Of_Artificial_Insemination.aspx
WebMD, retrieved 1/3/2012 from http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/artificial-insemination

References: Adoption.com, retrieved 1/4/2012 from http://forums.adoption.com/thanks-life/62158-seeking-adoptees-pro-life-pro-adoption-testimonies.html Adoption.org, retrieved 1/3/2012 from http://www.adoption.org/adopt/pro-adoption.php Personal Experience of being adopted and having my children taken from me and being adopted by foster parents LifeScript: Healthy Living for Women, retrieved 1/3/201, http://www.lifescript.com/Health/Conditions/Womens-health/Pregnancy/The_Pros_And_Cons_Of_Artificial_Insemination.aspx WebMD, retrieved 1/3/2012 from http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/artificial-insemination