An open adoption can mean many things. Generally, an open adoption refers to an adoption in which the adoptive parents and the birth parents exchange identifiable information and contact is shared between both parties. Identifiable information can include first and last names, addresses, phone numbers, emails addresses, and more. Contact could include anything from phone calls and letters to emails and visits. Some open adoptions are more open than others, and the adoption can be structured in accordance with your wishes.
For those considering an open adoption, the following is a look at some of the benefits of this form of adoption for each of the parties involved.
Birth parents
Birth parents in open adoptions generally demonstrate a positive attitude and confidence related to decision making and control over their life. Birthparents that enter into an open adoption feel like they are making well thought out plan for their baby instead of abandoning him or her. They can work through their normal feelings of grief more easily knowing they will have some sort of communication option in the future. As a result, they exhibit better mental health than birthparents who choose closed adoptions.
Adoptive Parents
Adoptive parents that have contact with birth parents will have a real image of them. They develop trust and understanding of one another, to the benefit of the adoptive children. Any fear over adoption and insecurity is generally resolved as the birth parent reaffirms the adoptive parent is the parent of the child.
Adoptive parents of open adoptions are selected by the birth parents and feel entitled to parent, which is an important ingredient to all adoptions. Adoptive parents will also have ongoing information that could be relevant to their child in an open adoption, such as medical information.
Adoptees
Many adopted children will have questions about their birth parents and their past. These questions often include: Why was I given up for adoption? What are my birth parents like? Who do I look like? Open adoption can provide the answer to all of these questions. Adoptive parents can communicate the truth instead of being forced to tell the child they do not know or provide half-truths. There is also the option for adoptive parents to seek more information from the birth parents. If their child has a question they do not know the answer to, the adoptive parents can turn to the birth parents for answers.
In a closed adoption, adopted children or adoptees do not have access to their medical history or genetic history. This can be a source of frustration for many adoptees and can have medical implications due to the lack of information.
In an open adoption, the adopted child learns he or she was placed for adoption out of love. The adopted child continues to be aware of the birth parent’s love. Generally, children in an open adoption feel good about where they came from and where they are now. They are free from the frustrations of simply not knowing where they came from that can plague children of closed adoptions.
McDowell Chartered: Kansas Adoption Attorneys Helping You Complete Your Family
Open adoption can offer many benefits for birth parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children. It can be difficult, however, to decide whether this choice is right for your family. The experienced Kansas Adoption Lawyers at McDowell Chartered can counsel you on the differences between open and closed adoption, and help you to decide what is best for you. We can then structure your open adoption so that it meets all of your important goals. Call us today at (316) 633-4322 for an initial consultation.