Adoption Choices within the United States

In today¡¦s society, adoption by famous Hollywood stars is becoming increasingly popular. It is mainly due to stars such as Madonna and Angelina Jolie that adoption has been brought into the limelight for all of America. While most people understand the basics of the adoption process, many are still in the dark about all of the intricacies. For example, frequently asked questions include ¡¥how many types of adoption are there?¡¦ ¡¥Can you describe the entire process of adoption?¡¦ and ¡¥is there a difference between adoptive and foster children?¡¦

While this article will focus on the differing types of adoption available in the United States, it is important to remember that there are two principal types of adoption: international and domestic. It is also vital to note that once the process of an adoption has been completed, adoptive children are no different to biological children with regards to the law.

Open Adoption:

Within the United States, open adoption is commonly referred to when one or both of the birth parents are and remain involved in the adoption process. In most cases, the birth parents will meet the potential adoptive parents (usually before the baby is born) and will decide whether they are suitable parents. In arrangements such as this, the birth parents are commonly involved in a non-parental role throughout the child¡¦s life and letters, visits and phone calls are common.

The term ¡¥open adoption¡¦ also relates to adoption cases when the adopted child has access to their personal records. There is usually an age limit for such a right, which is 18 years in the UK.

Semi-Open Adoption:

This type of adoption sees the birth parents having much less involvement in the child's life. The birth parents will meet the adoptive parents before the child is born, but there is no physical contact between the child and the birth parents. There may however be an exchange of letters and photos.  

Closed Adoption:

With cases of closed adoption, virtually no information is shared between the birth and adoptive parents before the child has been placed and after the process has been finalized, no information is shared between any parties. This type is common in cases of child neglect or abuse or when the birth parents have specifically asked for no contact or communication.  

Foster Care Adoption:

Children may be adopted by their foster parents; within whose care they have been placed already. Children are placed in foster care for many reasons such as child abuse and they can either remain fostered, whereby the foster parents are guardians but the children are not legally their own, or they can be adopted if circumstances allow. If all parties agree to the adoption and allow the process to be completed, the children legally belong to the foster parents.

Adoption - Google News
Adoption - Google News

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