An open adoption refers to
any adoption where the birth parents and the adoptive family
know each other and have committed to an ongoing relationship
for the benefit of the child. This type of adoption is most
often arranged in private domestic adoptions where birth parents
choose the adoptive family on their own or from an adoption
agency's list of approved families. There are many different
types of 'open' adoption arrangements. Some open adoption
arrangements include just photos and e-mails whereas others
visit with each other a few times a year. There also some
open adoptions where the families blend together and see and
talk to each other on a regular basis.
What are the benefits
of open adoption? Open adoption benefits the child,
the birth family and the adoptive parents. Children of open
adoption grow up knowing their biological families and there
is never any unanswered questions about where they came from,
why they were adopted, their culture and even who they look
like. Another important issue is medical history and with
an open adoption, families can readily exchange information.
An open adoption also eliminates worries that adoptees have
about reunions and whether or not birth families will welcome
their contact one day.
Birth families also benefit from open adoption because it
allows them to still be part of and share in the child's life.
For adoptive parents, an open adoption provides them with
the opportunity to get to know the child's birth families
as well as to obtain and exchange information.
Are open adoptions
legally binding? No. Open adoptions and the terms
of an open adoption agreement are not legally binding in Canada.
An open adoption relationship is based on trust and honesty
and it shouldn't be entered into lightly. Most private agencies
will work with birth families and adoptive parents prior to
the adoption and the topic of openness will be discussed.
Many families will make an 'adoption covenant' or 'agreement'
that outlines the type of contact they want to have over the
years. This adoption covenant may be in written or verbal
form. While an open adoption agreement cannot be enforced,
adoptive parents should never agree to the adoption if they
have no plans of staying in contact with the birth parents.
Not only is it unfair to the birth parent(s) but as well,
the child.
Do all birth parents
want open adoption? No. Open adoption is a relatively new
concept to most people and like many adoptive parents, expectant
parents may have concerns about openness in adoption. Some
expectant parents feel that staying in contact with the child
will be to painful for them or that it will cause the child
to be confused. Others are very overwhelmed with an unplanned
pregnancy and may be dealing with too much in their lives
to enter into new relationships. The expectant parent may
not feel ready to have a lot of contact but may request photos
and letters or they may request openness in the future when
they're ready.
