Questions Facing Unwed Mothers: Birth, Adoption, and Maintenance

Amelia* is turning 18 years old this year and has just gotten out of an abusive relationship with her now ex-boyfriend. Around the time of the breakup, she found out that she was about eight weeks pregnant with her ex-boyfriend’s child. When she told him about the pregnancy, he told her in no uncertain terms that he wanted nothing to do with her or her child. Strangely, however, he is adamant that the child should not be given up for adoption. He told her to choose between aborting the pregnancy or raising the child on her own. Amelia has since been kicked out of her family home and is distraught and at a loss as to what to do.