Parents have a tendency to overlook how lucky they are to have had the chance to create their own children. Many do not recognize what a true blessing it is to have children and that others are not fortunate enough to experience that miracle. 10% of couples suffer from infertility (Advantages), so they need to consider other options. A very popular choice is adoption. It is not only a good alternative for the couple, but also for the child who needs a loving home. Even though the idea of ​​adoption seems so perfect and great, one huge factor makes the choice of adoption quite difficult. You would never think of putting a “price” on your child, yet adoption is extremely expensive. A couple looking to adopt is best prepared to spend around $35,000 (babycenter). Personally, that number shocked me. Who deems it necessary to place such a high price on the love between parents and child? What is more important, the fact that a child needs a good home and a family somewhere wants to become parents, or spending thousands of dollars to fill a need that should be priceless? The answer here is obvious, and there are multiple reasons why the cost of adoption should be greatly reduced. Many people grow up in loving families and can't imagine not having parents and siblings around, but every year, 18,000 or more born American children are given up for adoption (Newlin Carney). This means that at least 18,000 children face the harsh truth of not having a family to grow up in. Childhood is a very important part of life and helps shape who you are. These children who can be adopted just need loving parents, good homes and stability. And who's to say that the high price of adoption isn't... half the story... money in no way defines the kind of life the boy or girl will receive. A couple who cannot spend that amount of money is just as capable of providing a beautiful home for a child as a couple who has millions of dollars. Sure, the less wealthy couple may not be able to give their son or daughter the latest technology or fads, but they are more than capable of giving them love, care, and a place to call home. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what really matters. You can't put a price on something as precious as family. Works Cited Newlin Carney, E. (). The truth about domestic adoption. Adoptive Families, Retrieved from http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=522Hendricks, K. D. (2007, September 14). Why adoption is so expensive [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.kevindhendricks.com/2007/09/14/why-is-adoption-so-expensive/