The President of the American Adoption Congress answers Examiner questions during Adoption Awareness Month. This is the second of four parts.
Looking for Part 1?
Your organization was founded in 1978. Since then, the practice of open adoption has been ascending, with the incidence of closed adoptions decreasing. What affect has such openness had on the the focus of AAC?
We embrace it, and believe it is in the best interest of the adopted child. Our vision is that adoption is additive, not subtractive.... the birth family is not replaced by the adopted family, but the birth family is supplemented by the new family that will parent the child. Its more like acquiring a new set of inlaws...you may not love them, but they are a part of the family!
- That there are great blogs, therapists, and support out there to help them navigate the issues that will inevitably arise.
- The unknown birthparent you fear most is much more scary than the real person.
- It is much easier for children to accept the complexities of adoption than it is for adults ... just be honest in an age appropriate way.
Unfortunately, practice in assisted reproduction echoes practice in adoption 40 years ago. No one should leave sperm eggs, or uteri without a name and address. It may be critical for medical history and incest avoidance, but more importantly, every individual has a right to know who they are, and where they came from.
Part 3: Open records and original birth certificates
Part 4: Best practices in adoption services
Comments
I really liked Eileen's comment, "Our vision is that adoption is additive, not subtractive.... the birth family is not replaced by the adopted family, but the birth family is supplemented by the new family that will parent the child."
That sounds like an opportunity for a win-win-win. Great perspective!
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