Growing up in Open Adoption: Young Adults' Perspectives

Abstract

Most adoption agencies today allow a child's biological and adoptive families to know one another and maintain contact. This move toward openness instead of secrecy presents opportunities and challenges. The study reported here explores young adult adoptees' reactions to growing up in open adoptions. Findings reveal their preferences for self-determination, facts, and access to their birth families. They view challenges in open adoption relationships as opportunities to develop identity, expand family, and process feelings. They see each open adoption as unique, needing occasional recalibration. Findings indicate agencies should offer education and services throughout the process.