By Helen M. Beausoleil, Social Worker
Catholic Social Services of Montana

What a wonderful opportunity the movie “Juno” presents Catholic Social Services to give our perspective – “from our chair” – about adoption. I am a social worker for Catholic Social Services and have lived the journey of adoption as an adoptive parent and now as a counselor for an adoption agency, Catholic Social Services in Helena.

I have seen the courageous, selfless decision of women of all ages who make an adoption plan for their babies. This is not at all an easy decision, but a loving decision. And to be an adoptive parent means opening yourself up to an incredible journey of parenting, putting aside your fears, your control and becoming vulnerable, hopefully flexible, and forever in awe of the gift of life entrusted to your care.

From my chair, I did love “Juno.” I have worked with teens for almost 40 years. I love these “wonder years”… Juno encapsulated so many young people I’ve had the privilege of meeting. I’ve seen teens take that giant leap from childhood to adult activity, not having the chance to stop at “Who am I?”

Teen pregnancy is serious. At Catholic Social Services we support teens as they look at a decision of parenting and ask questions: “Am I ready to parent?”, “What about adoption as a parenting option?”, and “What is best for the baby?”

I commend Juno for choosing life for her baby. While I would hope that no teen would select an adoptive couple from a “Mini Nickel,” I do know that selection is being made over the Internet.

What is fortunate for us in Montana is that we have laws that protect expectant parents considering adoption and adoptive couples. Did you know that it is required that any woman making an adoption plan for her baby must have counseling through a licensed adoption agency? So, Juno would have had some counseling in Montana and would not have been left on her own. Likewise, adoptive parents go through considerable screening and home assessments to assure the expectant women (birth parents) that they are placing their babies with an adoptive couple who is ready and able to parent and love their child.

I spoke to a pregnant teen about the movie in a parenting class I teach. She didn’t like the movie because she felt it didn’t reflect the seriousness of teen pregnancy. But her greatest concern was the portrayal at the end of the movie “that life just goes on … how could Juno forget the baby?”

While I’m not certain that’s the message, this concern highlights why we at Catholic Social Services uphold our strong belief about the value of open adoption, which we have embraced since the 1980s. Through open adoption, a forever relationship is formed between the birth family and the adoptive family that benefits the adopted child for a lifetime. Our mantra is: “You can’t have too many people love you.”

If we at CSSM had the opportunity to counsel Juno, she would have weighed her decision of parenting or making an adoption plan. When she decided on adoption she would have been presented with families based on her desires for her child.

Our families are ready for a placement after completing our process. Juno would select a family; they would meet before the birth (as in the movie) and begin their forever relationship. They would most likely be present for the birth with Juno and together welcome their child into the world. Through our counseling, Juno would be supported through a healthy pregnancy, loving and bonding with her baby before birth because we know that that love will model the attachment with the loving adoptive parents.

After birth, Juno would be confronted with the reality of the new life she had brought into the world, count her baby’s toes, fingers, look into his eyes and tell him what a wonderful plan she has for him. (The birth father also has equal rights in making this decision.)

According to Montana law, Juno has 72 hours before she can relinquish her parental rights. And then begins the adoption journey. Through letters, visits and a thousand pictures Juno (and birth father) would have a forever relationship with her baby and know that he is happy and healthy and that she made the best decision that she could for her baby.

From my chair, the movie challenges adults and parents as well. Do you know how to support a pregnant teen in your community? Please consider the support and professional services of Catholic Social Services. We have been here for 55 years, we believe in our mission to advocate and provide compassionate support for women of all ages at the time of an unplanned pregnancy.


For more information about open adoption and the other services offered by Catholic Social Services of Montana, visit www.catholicsocialservicesofmontana.org or phone 1-800-BABY-DUE.


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 24, No. 2, February 15, 2008.