Adoption Records Should Be Open, Essay Example

Child adoption records have been an area of grave concern and have attracted heated debates all over the world. All individuals on either side of the argument seem to have a particular reason as to why adoption records should be kept open or closed. With a good number of states changing their laws to accommodate the possibility of keeping the records open, it has become difficult for the remaining states that are now being criticized for being stuck in the past with a constitutional provision that violates human rights. Despite the fact that others may argue otherwise, many scholars, researchers, and media stations have presented findings, which reveal that concealing adoption records, does more harm than good to both the mother and her child.

First, adoption records should be open because adopted children are humans like anyone else and therefore deserve the right to information regarding their origin and background. Identity truly plays a vital role in the lives of people, because it gives them a sense of belonging. With adoption records sealed and hidden from the adoptees, sadly, some individuals go to their graves without ever knowing who gave birth to them. Without learning about their identity (who and where they come from), adopted individuals face the difficult task of understanding who they are.

These laws deny adopted children who have grown into adulthood their original birth certificates and thus lock away in some musty basement file the answer to the most primal question: Who am I? Identity is many things, but surely, it begins with the knowledge of one’s own true heritage and birth (Dusky 02).

Opening adoption records would help in treating hereditary diseases. It would also give medical professionals an easier time in understanding their patients’ genetic history. The treatment of most hereditary conditions requires that the patients are understood, and this understanding can only occur once the patient’s biological family background gets revealed. “Information about adoptees’ medical and genetic past is essential to both adoptees and their children especially regarding early diagnosis and treatment of hereditary diseases which have increased in recent years” (Goodman 03). There is no need to say that it would be very beneficial for patients if doctors were able to know if their patient had a biological family member who had the same, or a similar case as them. Well, opening adoption records would give doctors this information, and this would result in a better treatment plan for the patient, because their doctor would have a better understanding on which approaches should and should not be taken to lead their patient into recovery.

It has been established through research that there has been a recent change in people’s attitude towards adoption records. In the past years, many mothers openly chose to not ever set their eyes on the child they birthed once they give them up for adoption. Most adoptive parents have had feelings similar to the birth mother’s, and they never had the desire to meet the biological parents of their adopted sons and daughters. However, little by little, a massive change began to occur in the feelings and perspectives of both biological parents, as well as adoptive parents. Rather than not ever wanting to meet their birth children as in the years before, many birth parents now actually favour legislation that gives them the opportunity to reveal their identity to the child that they placed up for adoption (Goodman 03). The well-being of these children has been mentioned as a constant reason for this recent development. A mother does not easily get rid of a child that she carried in the womb for nine long months. She may actually let her go, but she will never stop wondering about the child (Dusky 03). Dusky makes this assertion as she shares a personal account of having given up a child for adoption herself, but it proved too difficult to detach. She now passionately advocates for opening up adoption records. Fortunately, cases of adoptive parents advocating for the opening of their biological children’s records have also been on the rise. In any instance of adoption, the two most important parties are the adoptive parents and the adoptees. It is essential that their voices be respected.

Opening adoption records can actually minimize the number, or rates of abortions. One may dispute this idea right on the spot, but it is a theory that has actually been verified and validated. The rate of abortion is reported to be on the decline in the states of Alaska and Kansas, where open adoption records have been legalized (Dusky 03). There are many reasons why a pregnant mother would opt to have an abortion, but one of the biggest reasons remains the fact that a woman might feel as though she isn’t ready to care for the unborn baby by the time she delivers it. Childbearing and child rearing come with responsibilities and needs that must be met for the sole purpose of the child’s safety and comfort. If adoption is an option, a woman may choose to carry the child until the ninth month, and then give him up at delivery. Many mothers would love to have the ability to see their child some day. It may be true that some don’t, however this surly is not the case for all. With open adoption records as law, mothers have a greater reason not to abort. Even if their current socio-economic status cannot support the existence of another head in the family, they can give them up to another couple who is ready to meet the expenses with the hope that one day they will have the opportunity to see their child again one day, and even provide any necessary help if, and when needed.

Even though it is widely believed that concealing adoption records protects the mother from the watch of the public, and afterward protects the adopted children from stigma, these claims are purely unfounded and don’t have a place in the current society. Jane Nast who served as the president for the American Adoption Congress spent about 20 years working with people who have been on the receiving end of the negative impacts of the closed adoption laws. Being an expert and adoptive parent herself, she makes the following observation:

The invalidity of the stigma issue especially in the case of the adapted children does not hold water in most of the cases. Rationally, most children would be happier rather than feel illegitimate by the thought that they have biological parents somewhere. Secondly, women do not need any protection from the watch of the public as the point claims. As long as their reasons for giving up the child for adoption were not evil, their conscious should be clear and they should be proud that at least they did not kill the child through abortion but gave them a chance for survival. These arguments are not valid first because identity gives children purpose, a sense of belonging and reminds them that someone out there in the name of a biological parent cared for their well-being. Secondly, it should not be assumed that the adopted children would feel illegitimate once they learn about their roots. There should an open choice of explanation so that the child understands the circumstances under which he was adopted (especially if they have grown to adulthood).

Having stated the above facts, it can be concluded that all states in the US and the rest of the world need to follow the footsteps of others like Alaska and Kansas where child adoption records are open to both the adopted and the adopters. Children have the right to not only an identity for themselves but it also to help in the treatment of hereditary medical conditions. Similarly, the biological parents should not be denied the smooth embrace of their own children even if they do not belong to them at the moment. Concealing adoption information and hiding, it from the rightful owners is a complete violation of human rights. It is high time the authorities respected the voice of the parties that matter so that adoption records are opened.

Works cited

Lyons, Christina L. “Adoption Controversies.” CQ Researcher, 10 Sept. 1999, pp. 777-800, Web 16 July 2018. library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1999091006.

Goodman, Susan K. “Adoption of what? Information Policy for Records of Adoption.” ARMA Records Management Quarterly 27.2 (1993): 3. ProQuest. Web. 16 July 2018.https://search-proquestcom.ezproxy.saddleback.edu/docview/227721953/EAAA0C9675964D46PQ/1?accountid=39855

Dusky,Lorraine. “Help adult adoptees find birth parents.”USA Today: McLean Va, A. 13,May 2003.

Goodman, Susan.“Adoption of what? Information policy for records of adoption.”ARMARecords Management Quarterly.Vol.27, Iss. 2, April 1993.

Lyons, Christina. Adoption controversies. CQ Researcher. Vol. 9, Iss. 24, September 1999, pp. 777-800.