Open adoption came into widespread practice in 1982 when the Independent Adoption Center opened its doors in California. However, it was extremely controversial, with several adoption professionals refusing to even share a panel stage with speakers on open adoption. (Independent Adoption Center) In April of the same year, Robert Borgman wrote an article titled “The Consequences of Open and Closed Adoption for Older Children”. As the title suggests, Borgman discusses the consequences of open and closed adoption for older children but he argues that open adoption is a more practical choice for children. Four years later, Patrick A. Curtis writes an article titled “ The Dialectics of Open Versus Closed Adoption of Infants.” Curtis discusses closed and open adoption as it pertains to the adoptive and biological parents and the children. Both writers present a strong case but Borgman wrote his article stronger because of his approach and his supporting evidence.
In Richard Borgman claims that open adoption is a more realistic approach for older children because children have a need for continuity. His argument is that open adoption permits room for another support system. Older children have established relationships and friendships. Even though he is arguing for open adoption, he does not destroy the other side. He actually adheres slightly to the idea of closed adoption being a decent fit for the children. He writes “severance of all cords with past may also be possible for a few older children…”
His argument is strong. He provides expert opinions for both sides. He gives statistics and quotes studies that have been conducted. Borgman introduces closed introduction first. Then, he presents his case for open adoption. He supports hi...
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...tis has many ideas with supporting details, his ideas did not help support his thesis. Borgman discusses both sides. Then, he gracefully refutes the opposition by saying it is a possibility. Consequently, he knocks the logic of closed adoption by proving that open adoption is a suitable choice. Patrick A. Curtis has an organized and informative article. His article shows that he thoroughly researched closed and open adoption. However, Robert Borgman’s article presents a clearer argument.
Works Cited
"Ask Your Questions." When Did Open Adoption Start? Independent Adoption Center, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
Borgman, Robert. "The Consequences of Open and Closed Adoption For Older Children." Child Welfare Journal 61.4 (1982): 217-27. Print.
Curtis, Patrick A. "The Dialectics of Open Versus Closed Adoption of Infants." Child Welfare Journal 62.5 (1986): 437-46. Print.
Dukette, R. Perspectives for agency response to the adoption record controversy. Child Welfare 54(8):545-555, September-October 1975.
Stolley, K.S. (1993). Statistics on adoption in the United States. The Future of Children: Adoption, 3(1), 26-42
DeCataldo, K., & Carroll, K. (2007). Adoption Now: A joint initiative of New York's Courts and Child Welfare System. Child Welfare, 86(2), 31-48. Retrieved from professional Development Collection database.
Adoption is a process where by a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the biological parent or parents. Unlike guardianship or other systems designed for the care of the young, adoption is intended to effect a permanent change in status and as such requires societal recognition, either through legal or religious sanction. Adoption has changed considerably over the centuries with its focus shifting from adult adoption and inheritance issues toward children and family creation; its structure moving from recognition of continuity between the adopted and kin toward allowing relationships of lessened intensity. In modern times, adoption is a primary vehicle serving the needs of homeless, neglected, abused and runaway children (Wikipedia, “Adoption”).
Adoption is in place to balance, to nurture and create a structural environment of safety in which the child can thrive and develop into a productive individual contributing to society. Also, it allows older children to abandon old maladaptive behaviors and make their first steps toward the construction of new behaviors influenced by their new environment. In years past, parents who adopted a child as an infant often debated whether to tell him or her about the adoption. Many children grew up not knowing they were adopted, and the birth mother’s identity was kept secret from those who did know (Ashford, LeCroy and Lortie 249). This paper provides facts on widely acceptance option of open adoption rather than the traditional practice of closed adoption. Adoption separates real biological family members, removing the adopter heritage whether the adoption is open or closed. Open adoption can lead to problems, but there are proven facts that open adoption is the best option for all parties working together in the best interest of the children.
In the United States there are approximately 397,000 children in out-of home care, within the last year there was about 640,000 children which spent at least some time in out-of-home care. More than 58,000 children living in foster care have had their biological parental rights permanently terminated (Children’s Rights, 2014). Due to the rising number of children in foster care and the growing concerns of the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families, the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 was signed into law. On November 19, 1997, President Bill Clinton signed the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, to improve the safety of children, to promote adoption and other permanent homes for children who need them, and to support families (Child Welfare League of America). The Adoption and Safe Families Act also promotes adoption by offering incentive payments for States. During the FY of 1999-2003 the payment to states which had exceeded the average number of adoptions received $20 million (Child Welfare League of America). The ASFA improved the existing federal child welfare law to require that the child’s health and safety be a “paramount” concern in any efforts made by the state to preserve or reunify the child’s family, and to provide new assurances that children in foster care are safe (Shuman, 2004).
When it comes to adoption though, open adoption is one of the best ones there is. An open adoption is when you adopt a child with open records, where the biological parents and the adoptive parents stay in contact though out the adoptive child’s life or for however long they want. (Berry 1)Throughout the years open adoption has been encouraged the most out of all of them because then the medical records. This way if anything comes up it can be open for the child to know their history. By not having that missing piece of information help the family with what they need to know about the medical condition. Open records are great to because of the emotional state during the adoptees life. (B...
Sorosky, A.D., Baran, A., & Pannor, R. The Adoption Triangle. New York: Doubleday. (1984). Print.
Many people grow up in loving families and cannot imagine not having their parents and siblings around, but each year, 18,000 or more American born babies are put up for adoption (Newlin Carney). That means at least 18,000 children face the harsh truth of maybe not having a family to grow up in. Childhood is a very important part of one’s life and helps shape who one is. These children that are eligible to be adopted just need loving parents, good homes, and stability. And who is to say the high price of adopting is not ho...
McRoy, R., Grotevant, H., Furuta, A., & Lopez, S. (1990). Adoption Revelation and Communication Issues: Implications for Practice. Families in Society, 71, 550-557.
The topic of child welfare is quite a broad one. There are numerous programs and policies that have been put in place to protect children. One of these policies is that of Adoption. Adoption was put into place to provide alternate care for children who cannot live with their biological families for various reasons. One of the more controversial issues surrounding adoption is that of Transracial adoption. Transracial Adoption is the joining of racially different parents and children (Silverman, 1993).
There are many forms of adoption available. The most common form is closed adoption, an adoption in which neither birth parent nor child is ever supposed to meet. Adoptions occur best within a non-profit agency setting in which there is accountability of all documents relating to the adoption and in which the agency has the best interests of all parties involved. Most adoption agencies are reliable on providing correct information and do not strive to meet all the interests of the parties involved. Stricter regulation of what information is needed to complete and adoption and what is done with that information is needed for the best interests of both parties involved.
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Adoption recently has caused a hot-spot debate in Australia . Mr Rudd just argued that we should maintain the policy but I don’t agree with him. I am sure many of you are not satisfied with the current situation because we all clear this is not a great one. Adoption is so important because it is a way to change children’s lives. This debate is not about me and Mr Rudd; it’s about you and these children so you should make the best choice. For too long this policy has been disadvantaged to the children who are adopted or going to be adopted and those foster families. It’s the time to change. Relaxing the regulation of adoption within Australia and from overseas will be one of the liberal party’s aiming next term if I get your support. And let me tell you why choosing to relax adoption’s regulation is stepping up in the right direction to change.
Suprynowicz, Vin. “The United States Should Not Adopt Open Adoption.” Opppsing Viewpoints: Immigration. Eds. David M. Haugen, Susan Musser and Kacy Lovelace. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2009. 141-146. Print.
According to American academy and adolescent psychiatry, about 120,000 children are adopted in the United States alone. That is a lot of children that need to find a new home to stay in. Not only do adoptions affect the child after they are adopted, no matter the age; but adoption also affects the parents giving their child up for adoption. There are many types of adoptions. Along with that, there are many reasons for giving the child up for adoption. There are three main perspectives that I will be talking about. One function would be the structural functionalism. How society cooperates. The second would be the conflict perspective. The third would be symbolic interactionism approach. There are many different aspects of adoption, making it