7 Reasons Open Adoption is Beneficial to Adoptees

It’s easy to take for granted knowing what allergies, ailments, predispositions, and other things we have in our family. A child from adoption does not always have that luxury. Open adoption can come with a lot more information on family medical history from the beginning, as well as having an open door if unexpected worries arise.

A child who was adopted often struggles with understanding the reasons behind adoption placement. Not only do children often look to blame themselves for their adoption placement, but they often create fantasy worlds about their birth families. With open adoption, they don’t have to fear the worst or play make-believe. They have the truth available to them at age-appropriate times.

One of my favorite quotes “If a mother and father can love more than one child then why is it so hard to understand that a child can love more than one mother and father?” Not only does the child have more people to love, but it never hurts to have more people to love a child!

Imagine the trauma that many children in closed adoptions faced if they were not told they were adopted from the beginning, if adoption wasn’t a topic they discussed from a young age. It is much more common in open adoptions for children to just KNOW they are adopted because it’s never sprung on them, but rather incorporated as part of their birth story.

Something that most closed adoptions are lacking is a relationship with birth siblings or other extended family members. When and if an adoptee decides to search for their birth family, they are scrambling to make up for lost time or are too late if the family member has passed away. With an open adoption, children are able to have a relationship with their siblings and extended family members that can make them feel whole and connected.

A major fear for many children in closed adoptions is hurting their parents if they decide to search for their birth family. Some adoptive parents don’t want to even broach the subject that the first family ever existed. However, out of sight does not mean out of mind for the person who was adopted. In an open adoption, the knowledge and information is always there and the child can have the confidence to know their parents are not only supportive but eager to help them with building their relationship with their birth family.