Semi-Open Adoption : Disadvantages
A semi-open adoption occurs when the potential birth mother or birth
families experience non-identifying interaction with the adoptive
families. In most cases, the interaction is facilitated by a third
party which is usually the adoption agency or adoption attorney. Through
this type of adoption, the identity of all parties is usually kept
from one another. In most cases, the interaction includes letters
or cards; however in some cases there may be non-identifying e-mails
or visits hosted by the adoption professional. When considering semi-open
adoption, there are several potential disadvantages for the birth
parents, the adoptive parents, and the adopted child.
Semi-Open Adoption: Disadvantages for Birth Parents
The semi-open adoption experience is different for each person; however, here is a list of potential disadvantages that you may encounter with a semi-open adoption:
- Loss of relationship- Since the communication between the birth families and the adoptive family occurs through the adoption professional there is the potential loss for a direct relationship with the adopted child.
- Increased grief- During the initial years following the placement of your child there is a greater potential for heightened grief without the opportunity to observe how the child is doing with the adoptive family.
- Interruption in contact- If the adoption professional changes or leaves there is the potential to have communication interrupted at least temporarily.
- Feelings of obligation- As the birth mother, you may feel a sense of obligation to place the child for adoption because of the financial and emotional investment made by the adoptive family.
Semi-Open Adoption: Disadvantages for Adoptive Family
The semi-open adoption experience is different for every family; however, here is a list of potential disadvantages that you may encounter with a semi-open adoption:
- Limited relationship- Because all communication goes through the adoption professional, there is an absence of a deeper and more genuine relationship with the birth family.
- Limited information- Since communication is dependent on the adoption professional, there is potentially less information acquired regarding medical histories, family genealogies and family histories.
- Delayed responses- If questions arise from the adoptive family or adopted child, there is a potential for delayed answers because the questions have to go through the adoption agency or adoption attorney.
Semi-Open Adoption: Disadvantages for the Adopted Child
The semi-open adoption experience is different for every child; however, here is a list of potential disadvantages that an adopted child may encounter with an open adoption:
- Negative perceptions- Because the birth family is kept away from the adoptive family, the adopted child may develop a perception that it is unsafe or wrong to interact with the birth family directly.
- Postponed or avoided reunions- Negative perceptions about the birth family may result in the adoptive child postponing or avoiding altogether seeking to reunite with the birth family
- Identify confusion -There is a chance that a teenage child may struggle more with identity because of the limited communication with the birth families or because of the additional family history and genealogy information.
- Preoccupation with adoption issues- A child in a semi-open adoption may be slightly more prone to experience a preoccupation with adoption issues.
The semi-open adoption is experienced differently in each adoption. The most important thing for all parties involved in the adoption process is communication. The more communication about wishes, desires, expectations, the more comfortable each party will be in the adoption process.
Advantage lists adapted from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse