| |
Confidential Adoptions |
Mediated
(Semi-Open) |
Open
Adoptions |
| No contact between
birth and adoptive families. No identifying information is provided.
Only non identifying information (e.g., height, hair color,
medical history, etc.) is provided through a third party (e.g.,
agency or attorney). |
Non identifying
contact is made (via cards, letters, pictures) through a third party
(e.g., agency or attorney). |
Direct interaction
between birth and adoptive families. Identities are known. |
| Birth
Parents |
- Provides real choice for birth parents when compared to open
adoption.
- Privacy.
- Some feel this provides a sense of closure and ability to move
on with life.
|
- Allows for some information transfer between birth and
adoptive parents (and perhaps the child).
- Some privacy.
|
- Increased ability to deal with grief and loss.
- Comfort in knowing child's well-being.
- Sense of control over decision-making in placement.
- Potential for more fully defined role in child's life.
- Potential to develop a healthy relationship with the child as
he or she grows.
- Less pain and guilt about the decision.
- May make the decision to place for adoption easier (compared
to a contested termination of parental rights trial).
|
|
Adoptive Parents |
- No need to physically share the child with birth parents.
- No danger of birth parent interference or co-parenting.
|
- Greater sense of control over process.
- Roles may be more clearly defined than in either confidential
or open options.
- Increased sense of entitlement compared to confidential
adoptions.
- Enhanced ability to answer child's questions about his or her
history.
|
- Increased sense of having the "right" to parent and increased
ability for confident parenting.
- Potential for authentic relationship with the birth family.
- More understanding of children's history.
- Increased empathy for birth parents.
- Less fear of birth parents reclaiming child because they know
the parent and their wishes.
- Delight of being "chosen" as a parent.
|
|
Adopted Persons |
- Protection from unstable or emotionally disturbed birth
parents.
|
Only true when
relationship is "shared" with the adopted child |
- Genetic and birth history known.
- Birthparents are "real" not "fantasy."
- Positive adjustment is promoted in adoptee.
|
- Direct access to birth parents and history.
- Need to search is eliminated.
- Identity questions are answered (Who do I look like? Why was I
placed?).
- Eases feelings of abandonment.
- Lessening of fantasies: birth parents are "real."
- Increased circle of supportive adults.
- Increased attachment to adoptive family (especially if the
birth parents support the placement).
- Preservation of connections (e.g., with siblings, relatives).
- Lessens loyalty conflicts (according to recent research).
- Exposure to racial and ethnic heritage.
- Ability for evolving, dynamic, and developmentally appropriate
account of the adoption.
|
