Embracing Open Adoption Review

Open adoption can mean many different things. In its most basic form, open adoption is a form of adoption in which the birth family and adoptive family share contact information and have the option to make contact in whatever way works for them. In some cases, the adoptive family may send photos and developmental updates to the birth family. In other cases, the adoptive family may visit with the adoptive child on a consistent basis. Families that have an open adoption work together to come up with a system that works for everyone involved, especially the child.

In this blog, I will be reviewing a quick article written by Ellen C. Singer titled Embracing Open Adoption. In this article, Singer explained that open adoptions are becoming far more common than closed, and studies have shown that the arrangement can benefit the adoptive and birth families as well as the adoptive child.

First, birth parents stand to benefit from having an open relationship with the adoptive family. For some birth parents, choosing to put their child up for adoption can be a very difficult decision. After placement is made with the adoptive family, birth parents may struggle with grief or guilt despite the reason for their choice initially. Having open communication can help birth parents to maintain a relationship with their child even if they cannot live with them. An open arrangement may also allow birth parents to have peace with their decision because they will know that their child is taken care of by the adoptive family.

Adoptive families can also benefit from having an open adoption. Singer wrote that many of the fears about losing the child to the birth family that are associated with adoption can be sidestepped if there is continual cooperation and trust. In addition, most adoptive families would likely agree if the arrangement is helpful for their child, then they would learn to make it work.

Finally, adoptive children can definitely benefit from open adoption. When children living in adoptive homes grow to adolescence, they are likely to start asking questions about their birth family. They may experience feelings of loss or abandonment, or they may simply be interested in knowing what prompted their birth family to choose an adoption for them. Having open communication with the birth family gives an adoptive child the space to ask these questions and get answers straight from the source. Knowing their birth parents and having open access to them may allow the child the ability to feel secure in their heritage and where they came from as well.

One of the points that Singer discussed in detail is the fact that an open adoption is a relationship just like any other, and relationships require work. The relationship can be intimidating for everyone involved, but if both parties agree to maintain proper boundaries and communication, it can create a healing, beneficial environment for everyone involved. There is no magic formula for open adoption. The amount of contact varies, and families have to work together over time, making changes when necessary. The idea of open adoption should not hinder a prospective family from moving forward. Agencies, including Home Adoption Studies, Inc., exist to help families navigate the process and answer questions. Both birth and adoptive families can feel secure in their decisions, knowing they are not alone.

http://adoptionsupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Embracing-Open-Adoption.pdf