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Section #5: What is Open Adoption?

One way to gain an understanding of open adoption is to explain what it is not. Open adoption is often confused with other types of relationships.

At the top pf the list is co-parenting, the parent figures have equal authority, roles, and access. In open adoption, birth parents do not have the same authority, roles, or access as the adoptive parents.

First

Birth parents have no authority over the adopted child. Birth parent involvement is based on respect and cooperation, not authority.
Second

There is a little confusion between the role of adoptive mother and the role of birth mother because the roles are very distinct. While the adoptive mother carries out the role called "Mom," the birth mother is more akin to a special extended family member.
Third

There is the matter of access. In open adoption, contact with the birth family is agreed upon and planned ahead of time. A healthy open adoption relationship features reasonable and mutually respected boundaries that puts the child's best interest first.

 

 

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