Op-Ed | American Child

Adoption is an Option: It’s Time to Restore Hope and Strengthen Families

Stacey Schieffelin July 2, 2026

Co-authored by John Knox, Founder of Adoption is an Option.

Originally published by Washington Examiner.

At our core, America is a nation that understands that strong families are essential to the future of our communities. Families are where children first learn love, responsibility, sacrifice, faith, and belonging. While there are many paths to building a family, adoption is one we should enthusiastically encourage, defend, and champion. It gives children loving homes, empowers expectant mothers to make informed decisions, and strengthens communities by affirming that every child’s life has dignity, purpose, and promise.

Contrary to public perception, there is no shortage of loving families eager to provide homes for adoptive children. Across the country, qualified families are waiting and ready to welcome a child into their lives. The problem is that society often fails to equip women facing unexpected pregnancies with accurate information, support, clarity, and hope at one of the most consequential moments of their lives.

Many women mistakenly believe private adoption is the same as foster care. It is not. Foster care is designed primarily for family reunification through a court-mandated system. Private adoption allows an expectant mother to make a thoughtful and loving plan for her child, including selecting the family who will raise that child.

To read the full article, click here.

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