Women all over the world who experience an unplanned pregnancy choose either adoption or abortion. How many of those women chose adoption over abortion?

In the United States there are at least 1.5 million adopted children. That is more than two percent of all the nation’s children.

The Adoption Institute’s Public Opinion Benchmark survey found that 58% of Americans know someone who has been adopted, have adopted a child, or have relinquished a child for adoption. But how do those who have been adopted feel about it?

Half of those interviewed for this story thought they were very fortunate to be adopted and if they had not been adopted, they would be living a worse life. The other half said it shows others that parents love their kids.

When asked about the bad points of being adopted, Sydney Browne of Auburn says, “People tend to make fun of you and say that your parents didn’t love you and that you don’t know who they are.”

Researchers say that most adopted kids feel special; half of those interviewed for this story said they feel fortunate to be with the parents they have. The other half said they feel special because they have four parents – they just do not know two of them.

When asked how he feels about being adopted, Richard Griffiths of Mechanic Falls said, “I feel extremely fortunate with the parents I have and I’ve been with them since I was 11 months old.”

Browne adds, “It’s interesting. I have had my share of being made fun of, but other than that, it is not any different than any kid growing up.”

A survey done by The Search Institute on adopted American adolescents found that 72% wanted to know why they were adopted, 65% wanted to meet their birth parents, and 94% wanted to know which parent they looked like.

Our interview subjects were asked whether or not they wonder where their birthparents are. Griffiths says, “Every day I do … if they think about me and if they ever wonder what happened to me.”

Browne adds, “Yeah, I wonder where they are. I know where they started out, but I wonder where they are now, and if they miss me.”

When asked about their birth parents, Griffiths says he thinks about them, “Whenever a family situation comes up like a holiday, my birthday and when people ask me.”

Browne says, “I got a letter from my birth mother in 2003 and it has been sitting in my room and when I look at it I wonder where they are.”

I can understand what all adoptees go through as I, too, am adopted. Like other adoptees, I wonder where my birth mother is, if she thinks about me, if she misses me, and if she wonders where I am right now.

In addition I feel special because I have two families who love me. Even though my birth mother had to relinquish me, I know she did it because she wanted me to live a good life.

It is clear that you do not have to share a bloodline with your family to have a love bond. The joy I brought to my adoptive family outweighs the negative aspect of not knowing who my birth parents are.