by Christina Pomoni

Created on: April 29, 2009

There has been a lot of discussion on whether open or closed adoptions are the best choice for prospective adoptive parents. Many adoptive parents are unaware of the differences between the two options and how their decision may affect their future family and personal life. Therefore, the first step in the adoption process is to understand what an open adoption is and why it may a better choice than a closed adoption.

An open adoption occurs when placing parents and adoptive parents meet in advance and create a relationship for the sake of the adopted child. Both sides exchange phone calls, visits, letters and contact information without requiring the adopting agency to bring them in contact prior to or after the placement of the child. In several cases, birth parents agree to pay periodic visits to their biological child and maintain contact with adoptive parents.

The main advantage of open adoptions for adopted children is the fact that both biological and adoptive parents are involved in the child's life. Considering that adopted children always seek for their roots, an open adoption facilitates their efforts to find their biological parents. Knowing who these people are and understanding the real motive behind their decision to place their child for adoption helps adopted children to lead a more stable life and to enjoy the love of adoptive parents. With open adoptions, children do not have to wonder where they came from, who they took their characteristics from, how do their parents look like or why they are in a situation of adoption. Anytime, they can contact their biological parents and discuss with them their concerns, anxieties, and confusion.

When meeting birth parents, adopted children may relax their fears of getting abandoned from adoptive parents. In their mind, they always know that there are four people who love them regardless of the reasons that led biological parents to place them for adoption. Typically, the reasons for placing a child for adoption are related to financial difficulties, age, or even fear of being able to properly raise a child. However, as soon as adopted children realize that their biological parents did their best under given circumstances, they stop having emotional issues and they actually love to be loved by their biological parents. By coming to contact with birth parents, adopted children develop their identity and self-confidence and they get protected against feelings of abandonment that are often strong regardless

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