I was doing research on closed adoption with the intent of finding supporting reasons why I believe that closed adoption does not have any real benefit for the adoption triad today. Therefore, I was surprised to find on the
American Pregnancy Association’s website a list of advantages for a closed adoption. First, let me say that a closed adoption by definition means that the adoptive family and birthmother or birthparents do not share any identifying information with each other and they do not have any type of established relationship with each other or the child once the baby has been placed.
I was surprised to see that this website listed advantages since I rarely see or have heard of the advantages, at least when one is talking about domestic adoption. However, after reading them, I could see why it would make sense under certain circumstances. It becomes a reminder that every adoption situation is different and for certain reasons a closed adoption could be the best option for the triad.
In summary some of the advantages to closed adoption that were listed are as follows:
Privacy for the birthmother: She does not have to worry that she will have to explain to her child why she chose to place him/her for adoption.
Fuzzy boundaries: There are no dangers or risks of co-parenting issues and the adoptive family is able to parent as they choose without interference.
Protection from unstable birth families: Closed adoption protects the child from an unstable birthmother or birthparent.
The American Pregnancy Association goes on to list the disadvantages as well for closed adoption.
Some disadvantages for closed adoption are as follows:
Difficulty in dealing with grief for the birthmother: It’s been reported that it may take more time for the birthmother to overcome her grief since she does not have any knowledge or information about how the child is doing.
Difficulty dealing with guilt for the birthmother: This again has to do with the lack of knowledge of how the child is doing. If she does not know that the child is doing well then she may start to feel guilt for placing her child for adoption.
Limited medical knowledge: Since there has been no information exchanged there may not be much in the way of medical history of the birth family for the adoptive family to have. The more medical knowledge the adoptive family has the better for the child if health issues should arise.
Increased fear in the adoptive family: It has been found through research that adoptive families have greater fear that the birthmother will come to claim the child.
Issues with identity for the child: This is especially true as the child becomes a teenager. The child may have greater trouble understanding who they are.
These are actually just a few of the disadvantages. The American Pregnancy Association goes on to list several others.
In my opinion the disadvantages of a closed adoption outweigh the advantages. However, it’s important that an adoptive family and birthparents are comfortable in the decision that they are making when considering closed adoption and understand there may be some consequences if closed adoption should be chosen.