Should We Do An Open Adoption or Closed Adoption?

Starr Adoption Services works closely with expectant parents and adoptive parents regarding adoption preferences, openness, and the realities of adopting in the modern era. While no one can fully answer that question for you, there is a history attached to open adoptions and closed ones that may help to inform your decision.

Prior to the 1970’s virtually every adoption was closed and typically expectant parents were unable to select the adoptive family that their child would be placed with. Often adoptions had a great deal of pressure attached to them as the stigma of having a baby young, out of wedlock, etc. was high inside of the United States. While not an absolute, many adoptees and birth parents, express emotional challenges related to the closed nature, lack or choice, lack of biological history, etc. that accompanied adoptions that were often only marked with the exchange of the first name of the birth mother and generic information about the adoptive family such as a couple from NY and their first names.

During the 1970’s and 80’s there began to be a movement towards the expectant mother having an ability in some cases to select the adoptive family. At times the expectant mother even met the adoptive family, but adoptions still remained largely closed.

In the 1990’s and moving into modern day open adoption slowly but steadily become the norm. In most private adoption the expectant parents select the adoptive parent (often together). A plan for openess is developed ranging from updates (pictures and/or written), video calls, annual or biannual visits in person. and etc. Most experts believe that this is the healthiest form of adoption. Permitting the child to have some level of access to their birth family, birth parents having the peace of mind to know the child is doing well, and adoptive families being able to get to know birth parents better & access family and medical history quickly in the case of an emergency.

There are many benefits to an open adoption, but at times an expectant mother is only willing to have a closed adoption. While these cases are more rare, they do occur on occasion. Closed adoptions often pose challenges in accessing medical and family histories, answering questions for the adoptee, and clarifying subjects as needed.

Please feel free to contact us to learn more about openess in adoption.