Adoption
Today
Unlike in the past, today there are several choices
available to birthparents considering adoption.
Birth parents are encouraged to play an active
role in selecting adoptive parents and now have
the right to request what type of adoption they
would like. There are three basic choices.
Closed Adoption
One option is a closed adoption. It is an adoption
with total confidentiality and sealed records.
No information is shared, and no ongoing relationship
is established between the birth and adoptive
parents.
Semi Open
Adoption
Semi open adoption is another option. "Openness"
refers to some degree of contact, whether it
is a one-time meeting between the birthparent
and adoptive parent or yearly pictures and letters
exchanged through the agency. In this kind of
adoption, only non-identifying information is
shared between the birth and adoptive parents.
Significantly, here the birth parents may be
able to choose the adoptive parents for their
baby.
Open Adoption
Lastly, another option is an open adoption.
It involves some amount of initial and/or ongoing
contact between birth and adoptive families,
ranging from sending letters through the agency,
to exchanging names and/or scheduling visits.
Typically, identifying information is shared
between the birth and adoptive parents.
Alliance for Children requires all adoptive
parents to send us pictures and letters at one,
three and six months, one year and annually
until the child reaches 18 years of age -- even
if the birthparents have not requested it. The
agency will hold onto and make this information
available to birth parents upon request.
Some states have post adoption contact agreements
that can be legally enforced and an agency counselor
can advise birth parents on this.
Thankfully, adoption today has given birth
parents more rights and choices than ever before.
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