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[It is} "a process in which the birth parents and the adoptive parents meet and exchange identifying information. The birth parents relinquish legal and basic child bearing to the adoptive parents. Both sets of parents retain the right to continuing contact and access to knowledge on behalf of the child." (qtd. in Byrd 20+).
Also in open adoption, many times the birth parents choose the adoptive family. "The two groups then negotiate the level of contact they wish, which can range from an exchange of letters and photos once a year to frequent drop-in visits" (McLean 32+). In closed adoptions there is no contact between the birth parents and the child after adoption. The parent usually does not know who the adoptive parents are or where they reside.
Today, adopted children do just as well as other children. "[A]dopted children aren't so different from other kids-and may even have special strengths. (In the large study conducted at Minneapolis Search Institute, adoptees rated themselves less withdrawed and less likely to encounter social problems than did non-adopted peers.)" (Paul 13). In other words, children are not going to experience excessive struggles from being adopted. "Adopted kids are every bit as well-adjusted, socially skilled, and intellectually able as their non-adopted peers . . . [T]eens reported positive identities, strong family ties, and sound psychological health at the same rates as their non-adopted siblings" (Paul 12). Again, studies have proven that there is no difference between adopted children and children who remain with their biological parents.
Indeed, open adoptions have certain benefits for children. Some people believe that openness in adoptions best serves those involved in the adoption process. Families that are involved in open adoption believe its advantages outweigh its risks. They are convinced that a range of possibilities are offered to encourage a comfortable fitting together of the two families.
