Open Adoption Sociology

Making decisions about the future for a child in foster care can be difficult and controversial. "Options include: returning the child to his/her birth parents; termination of parental rights (a formal legal procedure) to be followed, hopefully, by adoption; or long-term care with foster parents or relatives. Most states encourage efforts to provide the birth parents with support and needed services (e.g. mental health or drug/alcohol treatment, parent skills, training

Parents may feel overwhelmed by the assessment process and this assessment allows them to be involved every step of the way. Their role is also crucial to obtaining an accurate developmental level for the child. As part of the screening, there is an informal questionnaire and

Lesbian, Gay, and Heterosexual Couples in Open Adoption Arrangements: A Qualitative Study comes from the Journal of Marriage and Family, published April 1, 2001. The authors Abbie Goldberg, Lori Kinkler, and Hannah Richardson all have a background that makes them qualified to be a creditable source. Goldberg has masters’ degree in psychology and a PhD in clinical psychology. She is a professor of clinical psychology at Clark University and also teaches courses on gender and families – diversity in contemporary families. Goldberg is interested in many social issues including, social class and the contexts that effect development and mental health – major interest in adoption, gay/lesbian parenting, and family diversity. Her research focuses

“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).

Open Adoption or closed adoption; what would you choose for the child's benefit? Open Adoptions has many benefits; "95% of adoptions have been open adoptions in the United States" stated by Kinship Center (Open Adoption Study). When the birth parent decides to have an open adoption the child learns to deal with their emotions better, it's easier for the child to understand the situation rather than with a closed adoption. In an open adoption the birth parents can be involved in the child's life. This will help them maintain a good psychological health and the adoptive parent may know the child's health history.

Imagine being a child removed from your home in the middle of the night. Waken out of your sleep handed to someone you do not know and being taken to place where all the people around you are strangers. The removal process can be painful, mentally, physically and emotionally to children. The number of losses experienced by a child when they are removed from their home can be countless. Although, there are more White children in the foster care than any other race, research suggests African America children remain in foster care placements for a longer period of time and the chances of reunification with their family is greatly diminished (Knott and Giwa, 2012). The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) report notes

A fifth source that will convey the psychological effects that open adoption has on the adopted child is the book, Psychological issues in adoption written by David M. Brodzinsky and Jesus Palacious. This source will give the reader insight on the effects than an open adoption has on the child that was adopted. This source will allow the reader to see real testimonies of children that were adopted through an open adoption, and will also allow the reader to better understand open adoption from the child’s point of

One of the most important reasons why open adoption is a better choice than closed adoption is that the adoptive child will already know the truth. The child will know why he or she was put up for adoption. They will also know who their real parents are. Lastly the adoptive child wouldn’t really feel the need to wonder the truth. One of the reasons open adoption is about it’s openness and honesty.

The authors of this journal issue discuss their research findings on the effects of adoption on children through open and closed systems. In this article there is perspectives from all three parties involved with the adoption process and research from years later showing what has affected them through out their lives. Also in this article there is some historical information about how the open and closed systems were formed and how open adoption is a more effective than closed adoption.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 2007. This act provides children waiting in foster care with permanent families through adoption. The states increased the number and proportion of adopted children that received adoption assistance because the child had a special need. The article goes over administrative data that indicates that states more diligently recorded the special needs of children as well as post adoption financial support and assistants. The paper reviews how some states found themselves in the contradictory position of promoting adoption while simultaneously cutting post- adoption support. In the next section of the article it outlines federal adoption incentives and funding for post- adoption

When a couple cannot conceive children naturally, they may look to adoption to start a family. In the past, adoption was shrouded in mystery. Closed adoptions were the norm, and many children grew up not knowing they were adopted. Recently though, open adoptions have gained popularity. Adoptive families and birth families maintain contact in any way that they feel comfortable. I feel open adoption is a better choice than closed adoption because children may have the opportunity to meet their birth parents, the transition is easier for the birth family, and the benefits outweigh possible complications.

I know what you are wondering. who is this person or thing that is talking to you? well I am a cat named gorge and soon it is adoption day and my life is about to change but for now, it is super nice and I get to do whatever I want before adoption day. We are going to have a good time of exploring and adventuring the world that we are in and no one can stop us.

Approximately five million Americans alive today are adoptees. Having the opportunity to adopt has given many families the chance to have a family on their own that they may not have been able to have before. Although it benefits the parents who are adopting it also helps the birth mother tremendously. There are several ways to adopt. Parents who want to adopt should choose the best option for them while birth mothers should be more educated so they can be sure to make the best decision for herself and her child.

In the last four decades, the concept of the American family has undergone a radical transformation, reflecting society¡¯s growing openness. Among all segments of society, there is a greater acceptance of a variety of family structures ¨C from single parenting to blended families to same sex parenting of children. The introduction of openness into the process of adoption offers new opportunities for children in need of a parent or parents and prospective parents wishing to create or expand their families. Meeting the requirements to become eligible to adopt no longer means being constrained by the conventions of an earlier generation.

Oh, my gosh! Pamela, I love the picture of you and your family. I have just recently been considering adopting, as I am getting up in age and still do not have any children of my own. I am considering waiting until I get married first, before possibly going through with the decision to adopt. I just want to thank and applaud you and your husband for taking a stand and stepping out of your comfort zone to help someone else in need such as a child. My heart goes out to all young children, who for some reason or another are having to experience life in their early stages without two people, in which they can call their mom and dad. It’s heartbreaking, but becoming more and more a reality each and every day. As you can probably already tell,