Closed Adoption
April 19, 2011 The choice of an open vs. closed adoption is one of the most important decisions a mother can make during the adoption process. For both processes an agreement is crafted to detail the rights of the birth parents in the life of the baby following the adoption. There are many pros and cons to both options. Both can be seen and evaluated in the following articles that clearly explain and discuss these two options. Also, another form of clarification is the textbook, Marriages and Families by John DeFrain. The first article goes over the advantages of a closed adoption. Closed adoption refers to an adoption process where there is no interaction of any kind between the birthmother and the prospective adoptive families. There
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Open adoption refers to the legal agreement that each side has the full names of the other, plus their information to be able to get in contact with one another. An open adoption is usually formalized with a detailed agreement with rights granted by the birth parents to the adoptive parents. With an open adoption process it seems that the birthparents demonstrate a positive attitude towards their decision by being able to make a plan for the baby instead of abandoning the child. They also exhibit better mental health with an easier grief process. Being able to contact the birthparents provides the adoptive parents with photographs and makes it easier for trust to develop. With this type of adoption the birthparents are able to pick which family will be most suitable for the child, giving the adoptive parents a sense of entitlement to parenthood. Another great factor with open adoption is the ability to seek medical information that may be needed down the road. Having this type of adoption erases most questions asked by the child and takes away most of the confusion. The adoptive parents are able to communicate with their child instead of having unknown information. It is much easier for children of open adoption to understand their adoption, knowing information about their birthparents, and knowing that they were put up for adoption out of love. Yes, all families face issues and everyone has their own experiences with adoption, and with open adoption issues and questions are
Open adoption refers to the legal agreement that each side has the full names of the other, plus their information to be able to get in contact with one another. An open adoption is usually formalized with a detailed agreement with rights granted by the birth parents to the adoptive parents. With an open adoption process it seems that the birthparents demonstrate a positive attitude towards their decision by being able to make a plan for the baby instead of abandoning the child. They also exhibit better mental health with an easier grief process. Being able to contact the birthparents provides the adoptive parents with photographs and makes it easier for trust to develop. With this type of adoption the birthparents are able to pick which family will be most suitable for the child, giving the adoptive parents a sense of entitlement to parenthood. Another great factor with open adoption is the ability to seek medical information that may be needed down the road. Having this type of adoption erases most questions asked by the child and takes away most of the confusion. The adoptive parents are able to communicate with their child instead of having unknown information. It is much easier for children of open adoption to understand their adoption, knowing information about their birthparents, and knowing that they were put up for adoption out of love. Yes, all families face issues and everyone has their own experiences with adoption, and with open adoption issues and questions are