Semi-Open Adoption
What is semi-open adoption?
A semi-open adoption occurs when the birth mother, and/or other members of the birth family, meet and have interaction with the adoptive family. There is no identifying information exchanged (such as last names, place of residence) and the meetings are usually facilitated by AAI. After the baby is legally placed with the adoptive family, pictures and letters are exchanged on an agreed upon schedule. This communication is usually facilitated by the agency. In some cases there may be non-identifying e-mails or visits of the parties hosted by the caseworker.
What are the advantages of a semi-open adoption?
Advantages for Birth Parents
- The birth mother has reduced uncertainty and fear of the placement.
- A birth mother receives a sense of comfort knowing that the child is being well-cared for by the family that SHE was able to chose.
- She can see how much the family loves the child through the pictures and letters that she receives.
- It helps to reduce the mourning process for the birth mother as she can deal with her grief of releasing the child knowing that he or she is happy, healthy, and loved.
- The birth mother is afforded a sense of control in the process by being able to choose the family.
- She will feel less guilt about her release because of the updates she receives.
- She will see all the opportunities the adoptive family is able to provide for the child.
Advantages for the Adoptive Family
- A birth mother is more likely to proceed with the adoption plan when she is able to meet the family and get to know them.
- Meeting the birth mother helps reduce any fear that the family might have about the placement.
- The family is able to know the birth mother’s intentions and understand her thoughts and feelings.
- The family will have the child’s medical history.
- The family can confidently answer the child’s questions about from where he or she came.
- The family can feel some affirmation at being chosen by the birth mother.
- The roles of all involved are clearly defined.
Advantages for the Adopted Child
- The child has access to information about his or her birth family through the agency.
- Information provided to the adoptive family can help answer questions like, “Where did I come from”?
- The child will not feel the necessity to “search” for the birth parents as he or she grows older.
- The child will be less likely to feel abandoned.
- The child can better understand the reasons his or her birth parents chose adoption.
