by Jennifer Williamson

Created on: April 24, 2009

While the end result of an open or closed adoption is the same, in the sense that a child is placed with an adoptive family; the long-term impact of the option chosen is significant. A closed adoption typically leaves few questions answered for the adoptee/adoptive parents and the birthmother. An open adoption allows for more choices and more answers for all involved, often making the adoption course easier to navigate.

The essential difference between open and closed adoption is the degree of identifying information that is exchanged as well as the amount of contact that occurs post-placement. A closed adoption typically involves the exchange of non-identifying information, with no contact between birthmother and adoptee after the adoption has taken place. The information that is shared with the adoptive parents might include such things as the age of the birthparents, as well as any known medical information. This type of adoption is currently more prevalent in international adoptions, and is becoming more uncommon in the U.S. now that more birthmothers are favoring open adoption and the options that it provides.

Until relatively recently, adoptions were almost always closed and the relationship between adoptees and birthparents was shrouded in mystery. Birthmothers were all but painted with a scarlet letter; shunned by their peers, sent away to give birth and then return to society as if nothing had happened. This left birthmothers feeling deserted, guilt-ridden and empty, with little to no control over their own fate or that of their child. Adoptive parents were matched with children, receiving some limited, non-identifying information, and if they were lucky, some medical history. To a certain extent, this was the case for my 70's era adoption, leaving a multitude of unanswered questions.

Open adoption has most recently become the more mainstream option and is preferred by many birthmothers since it allows more options and a greater degree of control over the situation. Birthmothers can hand pick the couple they want to parent their child, and with the advent of the Internet, there is no shortage of options available to them. In addition, open adoption allows for a more tailored approach to the relationship that both the birthmother and the adoptive parents desire post-placement. These elements lead to peace of mind for the birthmother, knowing that her child is being well taken care of and seeing it firsthand.

Open adoption provides answers to many of the typical questions that arise for adoptees. Why was I placed for adoption? What does my birthmother look like? Having answers to these questions from the beginning eliminates some of the natural curiosity that arises in a closed adoption. In addition, more practical questions can be answered as well. What is my medical history? Does cancer run in the family? Mental illness? With the role that genetics plays in many diseases and conditions, knowing this information from the beginning is very valuable.

Whether an adoption is closed or open depends upon the time and circumstances surrounding it. Each option comes with similar sets of questions, but how those questions are answered varies as a result of the option that is ultimately chosen.

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