In a situation where a young woman or couple is struggling with an unplanned pregnancy, an admirable and selfless decision that can be made is to place the newborn in the loving care of an adoptive family. One of the key decisions birthmothers and adoptive families face during the adoption process is choosing between an open adoption plan or a confidential adoption plan, commonly known as a closed adoption.
The American Pregnancy Association defines an open adoption as a plan where "the birth parents and prospective adoptive families have personal interaction with one another. In this type of adoption, the identities of all parties are shared with each other, and interaction may be different for each family and may include letters, e-mails, telephone calls, or visits."
On the other hand, the APA explains that a closed adoption typically "refers to an adoption process where there is no interaction of any kind between the birthmother and the prospective adoptive families; the adoption agreement is arranged entirely by an agency or attorney. There is no identifying information provided to either the birth families or the adoptive families. Non-identifying information such as physical characteristics and medical history may be provided to both parties."
During recent years there has been an increased trend in open-adoptions, whereas in the past the majority of all adoptions were confidential. Open-adoption advocates claim that open adoptions are becoming universally accepted as the healthiest route to take, while stating that closed adoptions are antiquated and virtually ineffective.
The American Pregnancy Association defines an open adoption as a plan where "the birth parents and prospective adoptive families have personal interaction with one another. In this type of adoption, the identities of all parties are shared with each other, and interaction may be different for each family and may include letters, e-mails, telephone calls, or visits."
On the other hand, the APA explains that a closed adoption typically "refers to an adoption process where there is no interaction of any kind between the birthmother and the prospective adoptive families; the adoption agreement is arranged entirely by an agency or attorney. There is no identifying information provided to either the birth families or the adoptive families. Non-identifying information such as physical characteristics and medical history may be provided to both parties."
During recent years there has been an increased trend in open-adoptions, whereas in the past the majority of all adoptions were confidential. Open-adoption advocates claim that open adoptions are becoming universally accepted as the healthiest route to take, while stating that closed adoptions are antiquated and virtually ineffective.
|
|