Closed Adoption : Advantages
Closed adoption refers to an adoption process where there is no interaction of any kind between the birthmother and the prospective adoptive families. There is no identifying information provided to either the birth families or the adoptive families. Non-identifying information such as physical characteristics and medical history may be provided to both parties.
Closed Adoption: Advantages for Birth Parents
The closed adoption experience is different for each person; however, here is a list of potential advantages with a closed adoption:
- Sense of closure- Some birthmothers and birth families report that having a closed adoption provides a sense of closure and enables them to move on with life.
- Privacy- Placing a child for adoption is an extremely sensitive and vulnerable choice. Having a closed adoption creates an opportunity for a stronger sense of privacy.
- Reduced fear- Some birthmothers are concerned about explaining their choice, and a closed adoption serves as a way to prevent them from a confrontation with a child placed for adoption.
Closed Adoption: Advantages for Adoptive Family
The closed adoption experience is different for every family; however here are potential advantages that you might encounter with a closed adoption:
- Family Freedom- If the birth families are not involved, the adoptive family is free to have their family time without restraints of visitations and on-going communication.
- Absence of fuzzy boundaries- There is no danger or risk of birth parent interference or co-parenting concerns.
Closed Adoption: Advantages for the Adopted Child
The closed adoption experience is different for every child; however, here is a list of potential advantages with a closed adoption:
- Absence of fuzzy boundaries- There is no danger or risk of birth parent interference or co-parenting concerns.
- Protection from unstable birth families- A closed adoption protects the adopted child from an unstable or emotionally disturbed birth parent or birth family member.
The closed adoption is a different experience for each adoption. The most important thing for all parties involved in the adoption process is communication. The more communication about wishes, desires, expectations, etc., the more comfortable each party will be in the adoption process. In a closed adoption, this communication takes place through the adoption agency or adoption attorney.
Advantage lists adapted from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse