In a semi-open adoption, the adoptive family and birthfamily learn information about each other, but no identifying information is disclosed. The parties might meet face to face. The birthmother chooses the adoptive parents. The parties might agree to limited contact after the adoption, such as through sending pictures, letter, cards, and/or presents. The contact might be one-way (adoptive parents sending information) or both ways.

Pros

• The adoptive family receives a medical history and information about why the child was placed for adoption.


• The child receives truthful information about his birthfamily, so there is no need to fantasize about who the birthfamily might be.


• The adoptive family knows why the child was placed for adoption, so the child can be reassured that he was not “rejected” by his birthfamily.


• Anxiety about the birthfamily is alleviated if the child chooses to search. Instead of searching for a “stranger,” the adoptive parents have already met the birthmother and know something about her.


• Even if the parties lose touch, there is more information available to facilitate a search by either the birthmother or the birthchild.


• The birthmother is reassured through pictures and letters that the child is happy, safe, and loved.


• The birthmother knows how the child is doing, so she is able to reassure herself about her decision to place the baby for adoption.


• Because the families have kept their promises about staying in touch, trust and respect have been established. So, if the child chooses to search and build a relationship with the birthfamily, the families are in a better position to get along instead of getting into a tug-of-war over who is the child’s “real” family.

SPONSOR

• The adoptive family takes on the responsibility of putting packages together for the birthmother on a regular basis. (This can be a pro or a con, depending upon the attitude of the adoptive parents. I, personally, enjoy putting the packages together.)


• The birthmother might take on the responsibility for sending items to the child. (Again, this can be a pro or a con, depending upon the birthmother’s attitude.)


• The birthmother might experience pain in seeing her birthchild in another family. The reality of the child having a new family might be more painful when seen in the pictures.


• The adoptive family or birthfamily risk the other party not following through on their promises.


• The adoptive family might not receive support from extended family and friends for maintaining a relationship with the birthmother.


• If more than one child is adopted into the home, there can be issues with one birthmother being more involved than the other, which can be difficult for the adoptive family in helping the child with the less involved birthmother to not feel rejected.

I did not see any categories in the Open Adoption or Birth/First Parents blogs specifically related to semi-open adoption. If there are blogs on this topic, feel free to add the URL in the comments.