What is Modern Adoption – AKA, Open Adoption?

What You Can Expect from This Article

• Modern adoption, also known as open adoption, is an approach to adoption that emphasizes transparency and open communication between birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child.

• Modern adoption differs from traditional closed adoption in that it allows for ongoing contact and communication between birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child.

• Modern adoption is the most popular form of domestic infant adoption because it provides a more holistic approach to adoption that takes into account the emotional needs of all parties involved, offers more choices and control to birth parents, and is more widely accepted and understood by society.

• Pursuing modern adoption involves finding a licensed adoption agency such as Adoption by Shepherd Care that specializes in open adoption, creating an adoption plan, selecting adoptive parents, and establishing an open adoption agreement. It also needs a collaborative effort between birth parents and adoptive parents to establish and maintain a healthy relationship that is in the best interest of the child.

Adoption is a life-changing event for everyone involved, including the birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child. In recent years, there has been a shift towards open adoption, which is a more modern approach to adoption. In this article, we will explore what modern adoption is, how it differs from a traditional closed adoption, and why it is so popular for domestic infant adoption.

What is Modern Adoption?

Modern adoption is an approach to adoption that emphasizes transparency and open communication between birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child. It is a departure from the traditional closed adoption, where birth parents have little to no contact with their child after placement.

Open adoption allows for ongoing contact between birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child. The level of contact can vary depending on the preferences of the birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child. It can range from occasional visits to regular phone calls, emails, or even social media interactions.

Open adoption also provides an opportunity for birth parents to have a relationship with their child as they grow up. This can be beneficial for the child’s emotional well-being and can also help birth parents cope with the grief and loss that often accompanies adoption.

How is Modern Adoption Different from Traditional Adoption?

Traditional adoption, also known as closed adoption, was the norm for many years. In a closed adoption, birth parents would relinquish all legal rights to their child, and the child would be placed with adoptive parents who would assume all legal rights and responsibilities.

In a closed adoption, there was little to no contact between birth parents and their child after placement. This lack of communication and connection could be emotionally challenging for both the birth parents and the child.

Modern adoption, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of ongoing contact and communication between birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child. Open adoption allows birth parents to have a relationship with their child, and for birth parents to be involved in the child’s life.

In addition to ongoing contact, modern adoption also encourages transparency and honesty between birth parents and adoptive parents. Adoptive parents are often more open with their child about their adoption story, which can help the child understand their identity and history.

Why is Modern Adoption So Popular?

Modern adoption is popular for several reasons. First, it provides a more holistic approach to adoption that takes into account the emotional needs of all parties involved. Open adoption allows birth parents to stay connected to their child, which can be emotionally beneficial for both the birth parents and the child.

Second, modern adoption offers more choices and control to birth parents. They can choose the adoptive parents for their child, and they can also have a say in the level of contact they have with their child after placement. This can help birth parents feel more empowered and in control of the adoption process.

Finally, modern adoption is more widely accepted and understood by society. There is less stigma attached to adoption than there was in the past, and open adoption is becoming increasingly normalized.

How to Pursue Modern Adoption

If you are considering modern adoption, there are several steps you can take to get started. The first step is to contact Adoption by Shepherd Care as they specialize in open adoption. We can provide you with information on the adoption process and can help you find the right adoptive parents for your child.

Once you have chosen an adoption agency, you will need to create an adoption plan. This plan will outline your preferences for the adoptive parents and the level of contact you want to have with your child after placement.

Next, you will need to select the adoptive parents for your child. This can be a bit of a decision, although Adoption by Shepherd Care can provide you with profiles of potential adoptive parents to help you make an informed decision

After selecting the adoptive parents, you will work with Adoption by Shepherd Care to create an open adoption agreement. This agreement outlines the level of contact you will have with your child after placement, including visits, phone calls, emails, and social media interactions.

It’s important to keep in mind that open adoption is a collaborative effort between birth parents and adoptive parents. You will need to work together to establish and maintain a healthy relationship that is in the best interest of the child.

As the child grows up, the level of contact may change. It’s important to remain flexible and open to communication as your child’s needs evolve.

Next Steps

Modern adoption is a more transparent and open approach to adoption that emphasizes ongoing contact and communication between birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child. It provides a more holistic approach to adoption that takes into account the emotional needs of all parties involved.

If you are considering modern adoption, contact Adoption by Shepherd Care as they specialize in open adoption. Work with us to create an adoption plan and select the adoptive parents for your child. Remember that open adoption is a collaborative effort, and it’s important to remain flexible and open to communication as your child grows up.

Overall, modern adoption offers a more compassionate and empathetic approach to adoption that can benefit everyone involved. By embracing openness and transparency, birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child can create a relationship that is based on trust, honesty, and love.