As times and technology continue to evolve, we're likely to see more and more things being redefined. Adoption is no exception. While it used to be that an adopted child had no knowledge of her birth parents growing up, some families now do things differently. There have been a few changes in recent years that give both birth and adoptive parents a few more choices in how to handle the process and outcome. As a result, many parents are turning to agencies that offer what is called an open adoption. For more details on how these sorts of open adoption agencies work and how this type of adoption is different from the traditional adoption, read on.Trends in Adoption
It used to be that adoptions were generally closed or confidential adoptions. This meant that the identities of the birth parents and adoptive parents were completely unknown to each other. All of the paperwork and workings of theprocess of adoption would be handled by a lawyer or adoption agency. This might be a better option for birth parents to find some closure, but the child may end up feeling unwanted or rejected. Many adopted children seek out their birth parents when they get older, but a closed adoption can make this difficult. Luckily, some open adoption agencies have made this a bit easier by offering a halfway option where the two sets of parents can communicate through a mediator. The two sides of this kind of semi-open adoption can exchange information, letters and photos if they wish. One good thing about this form of adoption is that the parents can decide to change the arrangement and make it more open or closed as time goes on.
Along with the increase in international adoptions is an increase in what are called open adoptions. This basically means that both the birth and adoptive parents have a lot more control over the process by having more direct access to each other. In many cases, the birth parents pick out who they want to adopt their child from a pool of applicants provided by the adoption agency. This gives the birth parents more control over what happens to their child and what kind of life she will have. Once the process is completed, the two sets of parents can have whatever kind of relationship they're comfortable with. This is especially important if you are adopting a child from another country or culture; you will be much more able to inform your child about her heritage and lineage if she has a relationship with her birth parents. Also, what child wouldn't benefit from having as many people who love her around as possible? However, there are some downsides of open adoptions. Having the birth parents around can make the adoptive parents feel somewhat threatened in their role. Also, sometimes the child doesn't particularly want to be around her birth parents.
Like most other things in life, there's no one-size-fits-all situation. Ultimately each family has to figure out what's best for them. Open adoption agencies can make things a bit easier by allowing both birth and adoptive parents to have more control over the adoption process. Whichever way you choose to live, make sure you understand exactly what's expected and are on board with the arrangement. Don't let yourself be pressured into a decision that will impact both you and your child's life.
