Every family is different and every adoption will be different. When it comes to adoption, there are some big decisions you will have to make. One of the biggest decisions is whether to have an open adoption. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of open adoption in New York.
What is open adoption?
Open adoption occurs when the birth parents participate in the adoption process and remain in contact with the child afterward.
What is a closed adoption?
A closed adoption occurs when the child’s birth records are sealed and he or she has no contact with his biological parents.
Which type is better?
Every family is different and there is no easy answer here. However, there are some general pros and cons of open adoption:
Pros:
- Answers to adoptees’ questions
- Children ask a lot of questions and often wonder where they came from. When the biological parents are in the picture, it is easier to explain certain things.
- Link to heritage and ancestry
- Your adopted child will be able to learn about and connect with his or her culture and learn more about his roots.
- A wider circle of family
- An open adoption may mean your child will be able to connect with siblings, cousins, and more. This can also lead to a wider support network for the adoptive parents.
- Access to medical information
- Medical issues are often genetic. If your child experiences a medical issue, it is important to have access to his birth parents’ medical history as this can provide necessary information for your child’s treatment.
- No need to search
- Often, children will want to know more about their roots and their biological history and they may attempt to find out more about their biological parents once they are old enough to do so. Knowing who your child’s biological parents are alleviates the need to search for them later on.
While there are numerous pros, there are various cons to consider.
Cons:
- Possible boundary issues
- The birth parents may want to be more involved in the child’s life than you are comfortable with.
- Conflicting values
- It is important to ensure that your child’s birth parents hold similar values to yours to avoid potential conflicts and confusion for your child
- Emotional toll
- An open adoption can have an emotional toll on all parties involved, though the same is true for a closed adoption.
If you have any questions or concerns about open adoption in New York, our firm is here to help.
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Matters of divorce and family law should be navigated with the guidance of an experienced attorney. If you need strong legal representation regarding matters of divorce, family law, and estate law, contact the Law Offices of Susan A. Kassel, P.C. to schedule a consultation today.
