How Does Open Adoption Affect the Child [In Their Own Words]
Open adoption is becoming more common in Wisconsin and across the United States. This modern adoption arrangement allows birth parents, adoptive families, and children to maintain connections after placement. Many birth mothers considering adoption want to understand how this decision will impact their child.
If you’re wondering, how does open adoption affect the child?, the answer lies in identity, emotional well-being, and family relationships. Research and real-life experiences show that open adoption provides adoptees with a stronger sense of self and emotional security.
If you have questions about open adoption and want to explore your options, call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with a compassionate adoption professional.
What is Open Adoption? | Understanding How It Affects the Child
Open adoption is an adoption arrangement in which birth parents and adoptive families agree to ongoing contact after the child is placed. The level of communication varies depending on what everyone is comfortable with.
Some open adoptions include regular in-person visits, phone calls, and shared holidays. Others may involve letters and pictures sent through an adoption agency. Every open adoption is unique, with communication tailored to fit the needs of the child, birth parents, and adoptive family.
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How Open Adoption Affects a Child’s Growth and Well-Being
Identity Development and Self-Understanding
Children in open adoptions develop a strong sense of identity and understanding of their origins by maintaining connections with their birth parents. As one adoptee put it: "It's just like you're growing up knowing how to spell your name, I'm growing up knowing that I was adopted."
This relationship eliminates mystery, fostering security and self-confidence. Access to their history, genetics, and cultural roots helps them feel more complete and assured in who they are.
Explore how to build a relationship with an adoptive family
Emotional and Psychological Benefits
Many adoptees in open adoptions report fewer feelings of abandonment or rejection, knowing their birth parents made a loving choice for them. Open communication fosters security and confidence, reassuring children they were placed in a caring home with their best interests at heart.
Adoptive parents often feel strongly about making sure their child knows their own story. As one adoptive mother told us: "When we talk to our children about their birth story and adoption, we tell them everything we know. I hope my children's birth mother knows that they're not angry. They love their birth parents."
This openness helps them develop a strong emotional foundation and a clear understanding of their adoption story.
How to find an adoptive family
Relationships with Birth and Adoptive Families
Children in open adoptions receive love and support from both adoptive and birth families, creating a strong care network. As one adoptee expressed, "Adoption is just another way of forming a family."
Birth parents often serve as extended family, offering emotional support and a connection to the child’s origins. Another adoptee told us: "My birth mom is amazing, she's just always there."
This dynamic allows children to ask questions about their background, reinforcing identity and security. While adoptive parents remain primary caregivers, birth parents provide reassurance and an ongoing relationship that enriches the child’s life.
Potential Challenges in Childhood
Some birth mothers ask, is open adoption confusing for kids?
While most children adjust well, some need guidance in navigating relationships. Clear boundaries help everyone understand their role, reducing confusion. Open adoption thrives on communication and mutual understanding, ensuring children feel secure in their connections with both birth and adoptive families.
How Open Adoption Shapes an Adoptee’s Identity and Well-Being in Adulthood
Long-Term Identity and Sense of Belonging
As adoptees grow, their connection to their birth family continues to shape their sense of self, providing them with a fuller picture of their life story. Studies show that open adoption fosters confidence in their identity by offering access to medical history, cultural heritage, and familial connections.
As one adult adoptee shared, "My adoptive family made good on every single promise they made my birth parents," highlighting the trust and commitment that open adoption fosters. This ongoing relationship provides valuable insights into health and background, allowing adoptees to navigate their personal and medical history with clarity and assurance.
Emotional Well-Being and Mental Health
Compared to closed adoptions, open adoptions help adoptees feel more connected and supported. Many express gratitude for the opportunities their birth parents provided and find reassurance in knowing they still care. As one adult adoptee shared, "If it weren't for the choices my birth parents made for me, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Maintaining contact fosters emotional security, strengthens identity, and helps build meaningful relationships that support overall well-being.
Evolving Relationships with Birth Parents
As adoptees enter adulthood, their relationships with birth parents evolve, with some forming deeper bonds while others maintain occasional contact. Open adoption provides flexibility, allowing relationships to shift based on personal needs.
Many adoptees value the ability to ask questions, gain insights into their past, and strengthen their sense of identity, fostering connection and closure.
Open vs. Closed Adoption: A Comparative Look
Open adoption provides adoptees with a clearer sense of their origins, reducing feelings of abandonment and allowing for ongoing relationships with their birth families. In contrast, closed adoption may leave children with unanswered questions about their background, potentially leading to feelings of loss or disconnection.
While open adoption offers an extended support system, it also requires careful boundary-setting and communication. Ultimately, each adoption type has its unique dynamics, and the right choice depends on what best serves the child’s emotional and developmental needs.
Learn more about open adoption benefits
Choosing Open Adoption in Wisconsin
If you’re considering adoption, knowing that you have options can bring peace of mind. Adoption is a courageous and selfless decision that allows you to provide a life full of opportunities for your child.
If you want to learn more about open adoption in Wisconsin, call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with a professional. We are here to answer your questions, provide free information, and help you make the best decision for you and your baby.
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