Outcomes of Open Adoption from Care: An Australian Contribution to an International Debate

This book examines the outcomes of open adoption from care in Australia, contributing to the international debate on the advantages and disadvantages of post-adoption contact. It assesses whether adoption provides a better chance of permanence and positive outcomes for abused and neglected children, and explores whether open adoption can avoid the detrimental consequences of past policies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 321 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This Open Access book presents unique evidence from the first comprehensive study of the outcomes of open adoption from care in Australia. It contributes to the international debate concerning the advantages and disadvantages of face-to-face post adoption contact with birth families. The chapters assess whether adoption provides a better chance of permanence and more positive outcomes than long-term foster care for abused and neglected children in care who cannot safely return to their birth families. They also explore whether open adoption can avoid some of the detrimental consequences of past policies in which adoption was shrouded in secrecy and children frequently grew up with a conflicted sense of identity. The book will appeal to policy makers, practitioners, and students of social policy, social work, the law, psychology, and psychiatry. It should also be of interest to adult adoptees and adoptive parents, whose experiences it reflects.

Introduction

Open adoption is a form of child placement in which the biological parents of a child remain involved in the child's life after the adoption is finalized. It has been growing in popularity in recent years, as more and more families are seeking to provide a stable and supportive environment for their children. However, there is still much debate about the benefits and drawbacks of open adoption. This book aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the outcomes of open adoption from care in Australia.

Chapter 1: The Benefits of Open Adoption

Open adoption can provide a range of benefits for both the child and the birth parents. One of the most significant benefits is that it can help to maintain a strong and positive relationship between the child and their birth parents. This can be particularly important for children who have experienced trauma or abuse, as it can provide them with a sense of continuity and stability.

Open adoption can also provide birth parents with a sense of closure and peace. Many birth parents feel a sense of guilt or shame after giving up their child for adoption, and open adoption can help to alleviate these feelings. It can also provide birth parents with the opportunity to stay connected to their child and their family, which can be valuable for both parties.

Chapter 2: The Challenges of Open Adoption

Open adoption can also present a range of challenges for both the child and the birth parents. One of the most significant challenges is the potential for conflict between the child and the birth parents. This can be particularly true if the birth parents have different expectations or values about the child's life.

Another challenge is the potential for birth parents to withdraw from the adoption after it is finalized. This can be particularly difficult for the child, as it can create a sense of instability and loss.

Chapter 3: The Impact of Open Adoption on Children

Open adoption can have a positive impact on children's lives. It can provide them with a sense of identity and belonging, as they can maintain a strong and positive relationship with their birth parents. It can also provide them with access to important medical and genetic information, which can be valuable for their health and well-being.

However, open adoption can also have negative impacts on children. For example, it can create a sense of confusion and uncertainty about their identity, as they may struggle to understand their place in the family. It can also create a sense of competition or jealousy between siblings, as they may feel that they are not as important as their birth siblings.

Chapter 4: The Impact of Open Adoption on Birth Parents

Open adoption can have a positive impact on birth parents as well. It can provide them with a sense of closure and peace, as they can continue to be involved in their child's life. It can also provide them with the opportunity to stay connected to their child and their family, which can be valuable for both parties.

However, open adoption can also have negative impacts on birth parents. For example, it can create a sense of guilt or shame, as they may feel that they have abandoned their child. It can also create a sense of competition or jealousy, as they may feel that they are not as important as their birth siblings.

Conclusion

Open adoption can provide a range of benefits for both the child and the birth parents. However, it can also present a range of challenges for both parties. It is important to carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks of open adoption before making a decision. It is also important to work with a qualified adoption professional to ensure that the adoption is done in a way that is best for all parties involved.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 148 x 209 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030764319
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022