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The following is a list of suggested terms to use when discussing and referring to adoption
Compiled by June Ring, PPL Adoption Consultant
| Positive Terms |
Negative Terms |
| Making an adoption plan |
Given away, given up, abandoned |
| Choosing adoption for a child |
Surrender, relinquish, release |
| Placed in adoption |
Put up for adoption, adopted out, placed for adoption |
| Unplanned pregnancy |
Unwanted pregnancy, unwanted/illegitimate child |
| Birth mother/birth father; biological mother/father |
Real/actual/natural mother or father |
| Children through birth/children born to us/biological children |
Real/own/natural children |
| Deciding to parent |
Keeping the child/baby |
| Meeting between birth parent and adopted adult |
Reunion |
| Could not conceive/carry pregnancy |
Couldn't have children (when referring to infertility) |
| Person who was adopted |
Is adopted, adoptee, adoptive child |
| Parental rights, responsibilities and relationship |
Parental rights |
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