Understanding Adoption Types
Closed Adoption
Anonymity: Identities of both birth and adoptive parents are kept confidential. There is no exchange of identifying information.
No Contact: Typically, there is no direct contact between the birth parents and the adoptive parents or the child.
Limited Information: The adoptive family may receive non-identifying information about the birth parents, such as medical history.
Records Sealed: Adoption records are sealed, and the adopted child may not have access to these records until adulthood.
Benefits:
Provides privacy for both birth and adoptive families, can help birth parents move on with their lives, and may protect the child from potentially difficult relationships.
Considerations:
Adopted children may face challenges in learning about their biological heritage and may have unanswered questions about their birth family.
Open Adoption
Transparency: There is a level of openness and communication between the birth parents and the adoptive parents.
Contact: Contact can range from the exchange of letters and photos to regular in-person visits.
Shared Information: Both parties typically share identifying information.
Ongoing Relationship: The adopted child often has some form of ongoing relationship with their birth parents.
Benefits:
Allows the child to maintain a connection with their birth family, helps answer questions about their origin, and provides a more comprehensive understanding of their identity.
Considerations:
Requires clear boundaries and communication, and the dynamics can be complex, potentially leading to emotional challenges.