Adoptive Parents With Criminal Records

Well, maybe I'm being too harsh. I suppose certain offenses (especially if they were committed in the distant past) wouldn't have that much bearing on one's ability to parent. I believe one response on the thread mentioned a shoplifting offense, and another mentioned a car theft, both of which occurred when they were pretty young. I guess with offenses like that, they should still have a right to adopt. However, I strongly feel that the birthmother also has a right to make an informed decision when placing. She deserves to be informed of any prior criminal background; if there's a good explanation for it, then perhaps she'll decide to go ahead with it anyway. But for me personally, I couldn't knowingly agree to let someone with a prior conviction for a violent crime (assault and battery) adopt my child. _Sharon