Maternity Homes: A Historical Perspective and Current Reality

Spending countless hours online for work means I often come across various personal narratives. Some stories stick with me, and one in particular, involving a couple named Mark and Lisa, led me down an intriguing path. In 1961, Mark and Lisa were young lovers enjoying their teenage years until an unexpected pregnancy changed everything. Lisa’s parents insisted she go to a maternity home for unwed mothers, where she stayed until the birth of her baby, who was subsequently put up for adoption. Mark managed to visit a few times and even met their daughter on her birth day. Shortly after, Mark enlisted in the military, and upon returning, he proposed to Lisa. Unfortunately, her parents disapproved, leading them to part ways (and honestly, her parents were out of line).

Fast forward 53 years, and Mark and Lisa reunited, got married, and ultimately found their daughter through Lutheran Social Services. The part of their journey that resonates with me is how mothers and children were often hidden away and separated from each other. It’s astounding to think that 1961 is within living memory. How prevalent was this practice, and do such homes still operate today?

In her poignant book The Girls Who Went Away, author Ann Fessler shares the stories of primarily middle-class, white young women who were sent away to maternity homes. In the two decades leading up to the legalization of abortion, around 1.5 million unwed mothers were coerced into giving up their babies. Families were ashamed of their daughters who became pregnant out of wedlock—ignoring the fact that men faced no consequences for their actions. Medical professionals in the 1950s deemed unwed mothers psychologically unfit to raise children, resulting in the removal of their children.

By the mid-1960s, over 80 percent of women who entered maternity homes surrendered their babies for adoption, often influenced by social workers, parents, and legal rulings that insisted it was the best option for both mother and child. Furthermore, systemic racism also played a role; unwed Black mothers were not sent to these homes because they were perceived as more “promiscuous” and more nurturing. Both Black and white mothers faced prejudices, with social workers telling them that no one would want to adopt Black babies. All mothers were disadvantaged, albeit for different reasons.

Today, there is more recognition for all gender identities of individuals capable of pregnancy, but discussions around reproductive rights predominantly center on cisgender women. The focus remains on cis women, even though transgender men and nonbinary individuals encounter similar struggles. Despite the Roe v. Wade ruling, a person’s autonomy over birth control, pregnancy, and abortion decisions often rests in the hands of others (typically cisgender men), and stigma still permeates the conversation. Rather than being supported, many women face shame and pressure that detracts from their own needs and desires.

Maternity homes continue to exist, but thankfully, their purpose has shifted to provide refuge for those in need, rather than merely facilitating adoptions. Across the nation, these homes offer shelter, food, and support for women and teens who may or may not choose to keep their babies, allowing them to make their own decisions. However, many of these homes are faith-based, which can limit options regarding abortion. They aim to protect, inform, and guide women in either raising their children or finding suitable adoption solutions. Institutions like LifeHouse of Houston provide labor and delivery classes, financial planning, and job training. Although the daily structure can be strict and often rooted in religious values, women who choose to enter these homes are aware of what to expect. There are about 20 maternity homes in Texas and roughly 350 nationwide, many of which have long waiting lists.

While women today may enjoy more autonomy than in the 1960s, the existence of waiting lists at maternity homes indicates that society still falls short in supporting women and teens. Sexual education in the U.S. is inadequate, with only 30 states and the District of Columbia mandating it in schools. The content provided often fails to meet the actual needs of students, with an emphasis on abstinence and little discussion on consent. Just 11 states offer sex education that is inclusive of LGBTQIA+ topics. The CDC shows that while teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. are declining, they remain significantly higher than in other developed nations, with ongoing racial and economic disparities in teen birth rates.

No expectant parent should feel powerless, ashamed, or pressured into making decisions about their child due to a lack of familial support or equitable societal structures. Maternity homes should have never existed for their initial purposes, and it is disheartening that they continue to operate, even if now under more charitable pretenses. Stigma, religious beliefs, and racism still obstruct the autonomy of those capable of pregnancy.

I’m grateful that Mark and Lisa’s narrative had a happy conclusion, including reuniting with their daughter. However, so much heartache could have been avoided had Lisa’s autonomy been respected. Every pregnant individual should have access to clear and safe choices regarding their path to parenthood, just as they should feel free to decide against becoming a parent if that is their wish. Such decisions are deeply personal and should not be subject to external debate.

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Summary

Maternity homes, though originally intended to separate unwed mothers from their children, have evolved into shelters providing support for women and teens. While they now offer choices, the waiting lists reflect ongoing societal failures in addressing the needs of expectant parents. The historical context reveals a troubling legacy of stigma and shame, underscoring the need for better education and support systems in today’s society.

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