Difference Between Open Adoption And Closed Adoption

Forty-six percent of the couples in the qualitative study believed that open adoption was the “best option for the child”, twenty percent did it because they “wanted contact with the child’s birth parents, eleven percent fear they would not be allow to adopt without doing an open adoption, and five percent did open adoption because the adoption agency suggested it (Goldberg, 2001, p. 505). After two years they questioned those parents again about the amount of contact between them and the birth parents. The only significant changes were that of the eleven percent of parents that did open adoption out of fear of not being able to adopt without the openness, fifty percent reduced the contact while twenty-one percent stopped the contact altogether. The other significant change was that of the five percent that did open adoption because the agency suggested it twenty-nine reduced contact and twenty-nine percent stopped contact (Goldberg, 2001, p.

“I want to be like my adoptive mother, but my birth mother says I’m like her. I don’t know what to do or who I am. My whole life is messed up. It’s not my fault. It can’t be fixed,” said a girl adopted into an open adoption (Byrd). An open adoption is a process in which the birth parents and the adoptive parents know each other and are involved in the adopted child’s life. A closed adoption is when there is no contact at all and no identifying information is given between birth and adoptive parents (Byrd). While both are common to today’s society, closed adoptions allow opportunities for the adoptive parents to raise their kids without the interference of birth parents (Bender).

Adoption is a legal process that creates a new, permanent parent-child relationship where one didn 't exist before. The adoption proceedings take place in court before a Judge. Adoption bestows on the adoptive parent(s) all the rights and responsibilities of a legal parent, and gives the child being adopted all the social, emotional, and legal rights and responsibilities of a family member. Sometimes, court language will include the words "as if born to" to describe the new parent-child relationship. Before

Many factors are given weight in the decision to allow a child to be adopted such as socio-economic status, marital status, age, health and the ability for a child to integrate in to the perspective parent’s life (The Free Dictionary, n.d.). Within the adoption process there are two primary types: closed adoptions and open adoptions (Family Education, 2016). A closed adoption is where there is no contact between the adopters and the birth parents putting the child up for adoption. Also known as a confidential adoption it is performed through an intermediary who is responsible for all communication such as an attorney (Family Education, 2016). There is also no contact between the adopted child and his or her biological parents later in life without court intervention. The other avenue of adoption perused more commonly now is an open adoption where the adopters and birth parents are in full communication through out the process (Family Education, 2016). Adoption has gone through an evolution where previously closed adoptions were heavily favored; open adoptions are now becoming more common practice. In the United States on five states currently give adoptees uninhibited access to their adoption records (Fair, 2008:

There are two types of adoption. The first is a closed adoption which is when no identifying information is given to each side and no contact is permitted. There are some advantages to this type of adoption. Some birthmothers may feel a sense of closure and can move on with their life, also this is a way that you won't have to explain to others their decision. There are also advantages for the adoptive family like not having the birth family involved and keeping them

If you are considering going through the process of adopting a child, you need to decide if you would like to have an open adoption. Open adoptions have become increasingly popular in recent years. Here are two ways an open adoption can give your child a better sense of themselves.

Open adoption allows birth parents to stay in touch with their child. Birth parents are able to build relationship with the child. They have also given a chance to ease the adoption process and to allow the child a smooth transition to the adoption. They are available to resolve unresolved conflicts and answer puzzled questions.

“When children enter foster care, the initial plan is for children to return to live with their families once they have adequately resolved the problems that made their children unsafe and made foster care necessary.” “While a little more than half of children who enter care return home to their birth families, the rest will need other plans to end the temporary placement of foster care.” (childrensaidsociety.org) Even with foster care some children hope to find a permanent family to live with but according to research, today adoption is viewed as a last resort, even for couples with fertility problems. (Reed, Leslie,) Today people have fears of bonding with the child, unknown health issues and behavioral issues. (Patricelli, Kathryn). In the future adoption will revolve around securing information with international adoption, getting more access to original birth certificates and other legal

“However [Parenthood] comes to you, it’s a miracle” (Morton). The definition to “Open adoption is an adoption in which the child is aware that he or she was adopted and one in which he or she may or may not have contact with the Birth parents” (Sember). Although Open adoption has its benefits and risks, open adoption does significant things for children in their lives, open adoption should be the first choice for Americans who are seeking to adopt because it helps the health of everyone.

The answers given here are meant as guidelines, not the final word. Each state has its own governing laws and may be different in some respects than what is listed below. The responses below are derived from personal experiences, questions asked of professionals and the experiences of others going through the adoption process. If you know of significant differences in your area, feel free to send them to me.

What is adoption and what does the adoption process consist of? Adoption is a process in which children become part of another family legally. In 1997, the Adoption and Safe Families Act was passed. The act aimed to clarify the health and wellness of children in the foster care system, as well as move them more quickly to permanent housing. “With the passage in 1997 of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, increasing numbers of U.S. children are being adopted. In 2001 alone, 50,000 children in the child welfare system were placed in adoptive homes” (Schweiger & O’Brien, 2005). However, there is a strict adoption process to go through when considering adoption. “The adoption process, involves discrete steps or stages including: changing case plan goal from reunification to adoption, terminating parental rights, identifying a resource family, trying placement in an adoption family, and finalizing the adoption” (Billings, McDonald, Moore, & Press, 2007). There is a criminal background check for prospective parents as well as a home study.

Open adoption is the option to allow open communication with the birth parents and the adoptive parents. This communication can involve the exchanging of medical information and possible personal relationships. Those who do not feel comfortable with that form of adoption can choose closed adoption. “Today, 80% or more of domestic infant adoptions are open adoptions. Adoptive families now take for granted the 'normalcy' of open adoption,” (Silber, 2016). Open adoption has become more common now that having a relationship with the child is possible. This doesn’t allow any form of personal information to be shared between the

Open adoption actively involves the three affected parties ¨C birthparents, child, and adoptive parents. The adoptive parents want a child of their own to care for and to love as their own but on the other hand the birthparents are feeling guilt and sadness at the loss of their child and might want to see their child on a regular basis. There are a lot of things to consider during the process of adoption.

Adoption is a long term form of care for a child or young person. In order for a child to be adopted they must be under the age of 18 for the adoption application to be made and the child must not be or never have been married or in a civil partnership. A child can be adopted if both birth parents give permission, however if the parents can’t be found or are incapable of giving consent the child can still be adopted. A child can also still be adopted if there is a chance they can be put at risk by not getting adopted. Anyone is able to adopt a child if they are 21 or over, an individual is able to adopt a child if they are single, married, in a civil partnership, an unmarried couple or the partner of the child’s parent. For a individual to

     Adoption is metamorphosing into a radical new process that is both sweeping the nation and changing it. But this process is not an easy one, there are many steps to go through. Through research it is made a lot easier. Adoption is a also a highly visible example of a social institution that has benefits from and been reshaped by both the Internet and the exponential growth of alternative lifestyles, from single to transracial to gay. It is accelerating our transformation into a more multicultural society; even as it helps redefine out understanding of “family.” The process includes three main steps including a type of adoption, the techniques for location a baby for adoption, arranging