Adoption Types: Open, Semi-Open, Closed

There are three types of adoption and the pros and cons of each of them. Before making a decision about what you think is, it is important to know that the birth mother you are connected is likely to want a type of adoption that will be best for her life moving forward, so it is best to keep an open mind and think thoroughly about what is best for everyone involved in an adoptive family.

Open Adoption

In some cases of open adoption, this can mean sharing non-identifying information, and sometimes it means exchanging fully all the information between the adoptive parents and birth parents. It depends what agreement the adoptive family has made before the adoption finalization. The contact between the two might come in form of letters, emails, phone calls, sharing photographs and sometimes even visitations.

An open adoptions gives the adoptive parents a unique opportunity to get to know birth parents. This completely removes the fear of birth parents coming back to claim the child. This type of adoption also gives birth parents a peace of mind – they can see the family who will take care of the child. In many cases it also gives the adoptee some more information about their biological tendencies and heritage as well.

Semi-Open

A semi-open adoption means that the birth and adoptive parents share information, but only through an intermediary, typically the agency. Photographs and letters are often exchanged, but no identifying information is disclosed. The offer the advantage of open adoptions – both parties can get to know the other and keep in touch, and answering any potential questions the child has is less difficult. A semi-open adoption preserves the privacy and personal information of both parties. Over time, if everyone is comfortable with it, a semi-open adoption can become an open one.

Closed

Closed adoption is the most considerate of the birthmother's privacy. Most of the time now it is healthier for closed adoptions to include some sharing of photos or letters. This is at the birthparent's discretion. The birth parents can refuse to accept any information on the child or the adoptive family.