Open adoptions, like all relationships, change and evolve over time as birth parents, adopted people, and families reach different stages in their lives. As this occurs, birth families, adoptive families, and adopted people may need help establishing and navigating their roles and boundaries. Mediation (meeting with a neutral third party such as an agency or adoption professional) may help sort out changing needs and roles of all parties. Find resources in this section to help facilitate contact and openness in adoption, including mediation resources.
Facing up to Facebook: A Survival Guide for Adoptive Families
Fursland (2010)
View Abstract
Examines the ways the Internet, social networking, and other technologies are changing the landscape of adoption contact, search, and reunion.
| Series Title | Bulletins for Professionals |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 393KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2013 |
Open Adoption Concerns
Adoption.com
Lists several blogs that focus on the challenges of open adoption and discusses the open adoption experience from the viewpoints of each member of the triad.
Preparation and Planning for Face-to-Face Contact After Adoption: The Experience of Adoptive Parents in a UK Study (PDF - 112 KB)
Logan (2010)
Reports on adoptive parents' experiences of preparing for direct contact and stresses the need for agencies to anticipate and address the issues that might arise after adoption; findings are relevant to any open adoption.
Social Networking and Contact: How Social Workers Can Help Adoptive Families
Fursland (2010)
View Abstract
Examines the impact Facebook and other social networking sites are having on adoption searches, the challenges faced by all parties involved in contact after adoption, and how adoptive parents can help children satisfy their curiosity and their need to know while minimizing potential risks to their security and stability.