ADOPTION: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "
SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The correspondence in your columns on the subject of the adoption of children is one of more than ordinary interest t:". me, since in my responsibility for the Women's Social Work of the Salvation Army I have intimate acquaintance with the question. We have for years, like the Society whose appeal has provoked the correspondence, arranged through our "Children's Aid Department" for adoptions.
The arguments advanced against the adoption of the " unwanted child " are, I suggest, right, but up to a certain point only. It seems difficult to lay down any general rule. The merits of each case should have the most careful consideration— having regard to both mother and child. With respect to the child of the unmarried mother, I feel very strongly that only in special circumstances should her child be separated from her care and responsibility. Our experience extending over thirty years has taught us that the influence of the child upon the mother has been of untold gain to her. Better far, it seems to me, to assist her, if necessary, to keep it; and we have found that it is rarely a young mother having the responsibility for her child ever again brings an unwanted babe into the world.
The married mother who has gone astray in the absence of her husband has made a special appeal to us in these last sad days. Frequently the husband has been unwilling to forgive the wrong unless the child be removed. Thus to prevent the catastrophe of a shattered home we have taken the little one and arranged for its adoption. In some eases the father has been honourable enough to make provision for it, although under the existing law he cannot be compelled to do so.
Adoption should be resorted to only after the fullest consideration of the individual circumstances of the case. But of course the poor little one should not in any case be permitted to suffer further disability or hardship than that imposed by its unnatural advent into the world.—I am, Sir, &c.,
280 Mare Street, Hackney, E. 8. ADELAIDE COE.
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