What is a closed adoption?

A closed adoption is when the birth parents and adoptive parents do not communicate or share any information about the identity of each other, or about the child after the adoption. In a closed adoption, the adoption process is usually facilitated or arranged through an agency or lawyer. In Indiana, the Department of Child Services is the contact to discuss any adoption-related matters. Closed adoptions can provide emotional security for all parties involved. It can help the birth parents feel secure knowing that the adoptive parents will not be able to contact them, particularly if the birth parents were not able to make an informed and conscious decision at the time of adoption. Likewise, it can enable the adoptive parents to have greater peace of mind, as they can only provide information to their adopted child about their biological family if they choose to do so. It can also provide safety and security for the adoptee, as the identities of their parents are not shared. Overshadowing the positives of a closed adoption, are the potential drawbacks. Adoptees who are not provided with any information about their biological family may feel a greater sense of alienation and isolation. Open adoptions may offer more information that could provide closure and a sense of identity for the adoptee. Furthermore, the fact that the birth and adoptive parents generally do not communicate can leave the parties unsatisfied with the adoption process, as they cannot share their personal experience with one another.

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What is a closed adoption?

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