If you are planning on putting your baby up for adoption, you might be asking yourself whether a closed or open adoption is the right choice for you and your baby. Both closed and open adoptions have advantages and disadvantages. Here you can find things to consider when deciding which type of adoption is best for you and your baby.
1) The level of involvement in your babys life
A closed adoption provides only necessary bits of information about birthparents to adoptive parents, and there is no contact between birth and adoptive families. Before the 1980s, it was common to keep adoptions closed, but now that has changed, since one of every ten birthmothers chooses open adoption. In a closed adoption, the adoptive family knows very little to no information about the birthmother and vice versa. Usually the children can ask for records about their birthparents at 18 or 21 years of age. That non-identify information may include a medical history of birthparents as well as their reasons for placement, education, hobbies, and more.
Open adoption refers to a relationship between birthparents and the adoptive family in which identifying information is exchanged. How this kind of involvement will function depends on both parties. It may include only periodic phone calls or email exchanges. Personal visits may also be arranged. This type of adoption can remove the mystery from the whole process. It also allows adoptive parents to answer their children’s questions about why they were adopted or who their birthparents are.
2) The impact of a closed adoption
When a child is adopted, the adoptive family becomes the childs legal parents; however, the adopted child does have a history that involves its birth parents. The child may be confused if he or she is of different cultural or racial background, so the questions about what this means for his or her development as a person are inevitable. Also, it is important to consider that closed adoption does not allow you to change your mind at all about having any level of contact with your child at a later date.
3) The impact of an open adoption
With an open adoption, the birthmother can work with the adoptive family to set parameters so communication can be open and on a level that suits both parties. Open adoption does not mean you are obligated to visit the child in certain periods. It can be arranged in a way that suits the birthmother. For example, you can agree to receive regular photos and letters about your child if you do not feel comfortable with visits. Basically, you are the person who decides how the adoption will work between you and the adoptive parents.
4) You are choosing a life for your baby and yourself
If you are a birthmother, it is crucial to ask yourself what you want from your life in the future, and what life you want your baby to have. Through this introspection, it will be a little easier to decide what kind of adoption is right for you.
This decision is a complicated and personal choice. If you want to make it the right one, be sure to find out about the options and collect as much information as you can get. The adoption specialists at Angel Adoption are always happy to talk through your options and help you make the best decision for you and your baby.
