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Understanding the Emotional Impact of Adoption
Adoption is a lifelong process. Whether you choose an open or closed adoption, it is normal to have an intense range of emotions. Open adoption is an adoption in which there is contact and exchange of identifying information between birth and adoptive families. Closed adoption is an adoption in which all identifying information about the birth parents is sealed in agency and court records. Finding a support group or connecting with other birth parents can be helpful. This section provides resources on the lifelong issues in adoption and links to support groups and blogs.
Impact of Adoption on Birth Parents | |
Series Title: | Factsheets for Families |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 249KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2004 - 9 pages |
This factsheet discusses some of the emotional issues that parents face after making the decision to place an infant for adoption, in surrendering the child, and in handling the feelings that often persist afterwards. In addition, it addresses some of the emotional issues of parents whose children are permanently removed from them and whose parental rights are terminated. This factsheet may be a helpful resource for birth parents, as well as family members, friends, and others who want to support birth parents. It may also provide some insight to adopted persons and adoptive parents who want to understand the struggles ... |
Lifelong Issues in Adoption
Silverstein & Kaplan (1982)
Explains the seven core issues of adoption for birth families, adopted people, and adoptive families.
A Blog for Birthparents Considering Adoption
Birth Parent Blog
Offers information, personal stories, and links for exploring the birth parent experience.
Grief and Open Adoption
Romanchik
Helps birth parents in open adoptions prepare for the grieving process that might follow the adoption. This article was written by a birth mother.
Concerned United Birthparents
Provides support to birth parents who have relinquished a child to adoption; describes the long-term impact of adoption; and advocates for fair and ethical adoption laws, policies, and practices.
Counseling Birth Parents
Children's Bureau Express, 6(3), 2005
Provides a scientist-practitioner review of the literature on birth parents, presents a number of case studies, and discusses implications for counseling birth parents.
Expectant Parents Considering Adoption
Insight: Open Adoption Resources and Support
Focuses on the emotional issues around the decision to adopt.
Impact of Adoption on Adopted Persons | |
Series Title: | Factsheets for Families |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 248KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2004 - 8 pages |
As discussion of the adoption process becomes more open and accepted in American society, and as more Americans have experience with adoption, there is also more attention focused on those involved in adoption -- the adopted person, the birth parents, and the adoptive parents (often referred to as the adoption triad or, more recently, the adoption constellation). People who have experienced adoption firsthand are coming forward to talk or write about their experiences, and researchers are conducting scientific studies to find out about the impact of adoption on all members of the adoption triad. This factsheet examines the impact of ... |
National Foster Care and Adoption Directory
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Provides contact information for birth parent support groups in all States.
Saying Goodbye to a Baby: The Birthparent's Guide to Loss and Grief in Adoption
Roles (1989)
View Abstract
Written by a social worker and birth mother, this book addresses birth parent grief before and after relinquishment and at different points throughout life.
Silent Voices Heard Impact of the Birth Mother Experience: Then and Now
Portuesi
Focuses on the losses birth mothers experience after adoption and suggests constructive ways a birth mother can work on healing. The author of this article is a reunited birth mother.