ADOPTION IN THE 1990S - SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS OF BIOLOGICAL PARENTS CHOOSING ADOPTION

This study uses retrospective case analysis to explore the pregnancy r esolutions of 99 women receiving counseling services at the Catholic A doption Centre between December 1989 and February 1994. The study had three objectives: (1) to develop descriptive profiles of women who cho ose either adoption or parenting, (2) to examine the relationship betw een sociodemographic variables and women's decisions, and (3) to explo re the impact of biological fathers on women's pregnancy resolutions. Results indicate a clear contrast between women who choose adoption an d women who choose parenting. Implications for adoption and child prot ective services are discussed.