Researcher Explores Complexities of Open Adoption and Its Impact on Families
A recent examination of open adoption practices reveals both positive and negative aspects of this increasingly common arrangement. Currently, 95% of adoptions in the U.S. are 'open,' meaning that birth parents, particularly birth mothers, maintain some level of involvement with the adoptive family. This involvement can range from sharing occasional pictures and milestones to regular visits and active participation in the child's life. While many families find these arrangements beneficial, challenges can arise, such as broken promises and changing expectations from either the birth parents or adoptive families. Legal frameworks, like post-adoption contract agreements, exist in some states to formalize these arrangements, but they are not universally available or enforceable. Nicole Chung, an author and adoptee, highlights these issues in her article 'When Adoption Promises are Broken,' discussing the complexities and potential pitfalls of open adoption. 
