Open Adoption
Adoption in the new millennium looks very OPEN. The birth parents choose the family who will adopt their child. The birth parents maintain a relationship with the child and his/her adoptive family through the years. They may exchange letters, pictures and presents; they may even exchange e-mails or talk on the phone. The level of openness is agreed upon by the birth parents and the adoptive parents. They often see each other face to face. All of the openness gives the birth parents a sense of security and satisfaction that their child is loved and well cared for. Most importantly, the openness is created for the benefit of the child. It gives him/her the opportunity to know where he/she came from. The level of openness may fluctuate through the years based upon the needs of the child.
Who Benefits from an Open Adoption??
The Child:
- A sense of identity because of acess to birth family history and famiy tree.
- Self-confidence by being able to answer "Who am I?" and "Where did I come from?".
- Protection from abandonment with knowing reason why he/she was placed for adoption.
- A complete history and a ready source of medical information and support.
- The knowledge that he/she is loved by his/her birth parents.
- Knowledge of the truth (not feeling that there are secrets).
The Birth Parents:
- Sense of control with active participation in the placement process.
- Reduced uncertainties through interactions and updates from adoptive family.
- Reduced guilt with an on-going communication about child's well-being.
- Healthy grieving and encouragement by being able to visit and talk with adoptive family.
- The potential of developing a special relationship with the child.
The Adoptive Family:
- Confidence when answering their child’s questions.
- Reduced fear because of interaction with the birthmother or birthfamily before and after birth.
- A sense of entitlement to parent and affirmation knowing they were chosen to parent the child.
- Ability to be medically informed with medical histiory.
- The opportunity to build a relationship with the birthmother and birthfamily.
