The purpose of adoption is to best meet the needs of a particular child. This can be done in many ways. Open adoption accomplishes this and offers additional advantages to its participants. The needs of birthparents are often overlooked in our enthusiasm to do what we believe is best for the child. Today, society accepts the birthparents’ participation in the placement process. This is healthier for the birthparents, as well as the adoptee and adoptive parents. Adoptive parents gain by having more complete information and the possibility of future information regarding their child’s biological family. Inevitable questions asked by the child about his biological heritage can be answered honestly and in a manner that gives the child satisfaction, rather than compounding his curiosity. It’s a difficult task for a parent to admit to a child they love that they ‘do not know’ when asked for information that is so vital to that child’s sense of who he is. It can be a monumental task for a child to live and mature emotionally without this information. This information belongs to the adoptees and should be made available to them through their adoptive and birth parents, and not at the discretion of professionals or the judicial system.

Often a birthparent makes the decision of whom they want to parent their child: a friend, someone recommended by their minister or priest, etc. If at all possible, these wishes must be respected. In the past it was necessary for a birthparent with an identified adoptive family to arrange an independent adoption and do without the benefits of an agency. It is difficult to get home studies done within an ideal time frame, continue counseling services after the placement, or handle the exchange of future information without an agency’s involvement in the placement process. These are services that CACS  makes available.

The agency’s educational program is relatively brief for the amount of insight it offers adoptive parents. It is difficult to require birthparents to complete an educational program. However, CACS feels their participation in available support groups, as well as individual counseling, is both enlightening and healing.

The knowledge that there is an informed person or people willing to act as an intermediary, now or at a later date, eliminates the fear that future information is unattainable without great risk or expense. Circumstances too numerous to mention may change after the adoption, therefore, making the accessibility of additional information of paramount importance to one or all the parties to the adoption. One can only guess the number of times a birthparent must wonder if their child, so lovingly relinquished, is even alive. Genetic studies are constant reminders of the importance heredity may play in life plans. Adoptees generally have much of this information withheld from them, especially if it becomes known after the time of placement.

Emotional vulnerability can be minimized by working within a program such as CACS. Open adoption respects the unique and changing needs of each adoptive parent, birthparent and adoptee. It is clear the advantages of open adoption are greater than any perceived risk.

Copyright © 2000 Choices Adoption & Counseling Services, Inc.