Openness in Adoption

No contact between birth and adoptive families. No identifying information is provided.

Only nonidentifying information (e.g., height, hair color, medical history, etc.) is provided through a third party (e.g., agency or attorney).

Nonidentifying contact is made (via cards, letters, pictures) through a third party (e.g., agency or attorney).

Direct interaction between birth and adoptive families. Identities are known.

• Provides real choice for birth parents when compared to open adoption.
• Privacy.
• Some feel this provides a sense of closure and ability to move on with life.

• Allows for some information transfer between birth and adoptive parents (and perhaps the child).
• Some privacy.

• Increased ability to deal with grief and loss.
• Comfort in knowing child's well-being.
• Sense of control over decision-making in placement.
• Potential for more fully defined role in child's life.
• Potential to develop a healthy relationship with the child as he or she grows.
• Less pain and guilt about the decision.
• May make the decision to place for adoption easier (compared to a contested termination of parental rights trial).

• No need to physically share the child with birth parents.
• No danger of birth parent interference or co-parenting.

• Greater sense of control over process.
• Roles may be more clearly defined than in either confidential or open options.
• Increased sense of entitlement compared to confidential adoptions.
• Enhanced ability to answer child's questions about his or her history.

• Increased sense of having the "right" to parent and increased ability for confident parenting.
• Potential for authentic relationship with the birth family.
• More understanding of children's history.
• Increased empathy for birth parents.
• Less fear of birth parents reclaiming child because they know the parent and their wishes.
• Delight of being "chosen" as a parent.

• Protection from unstable or emotionally disturbed birth parents.

• Genetic and birth history known.
• Birthparents are "real" not "fantasy."
• Positive adjustment is promoted in adopted person.

• Direct access to birth parents and history.
• Need to search is eliminated.
• Identity questions are answered (Who do I look like? Why was I placed?).
• Eases feelings of abandonment.
• Lessening of fantasies: birth parents are "real."
• Increased circle of supportive adults.
• Increased attachment to adoptive family (especially if the birth parents support the placement).
• Preservation of connections (e.g., with siblings, relatives).
• Lessens loyalty conflicts (according to recent research).
• Exposure to racial and ethnic heritage.
• Ability for evolving, dynamic, and developmentally appropriate account of the adoption.