Susan Freivalds who is the founder and editorial director of "Adoptive Families" magazine recently published an article discussing the importance of children needing the "blessing and support" of their adoptive parents should they decide to search. "Open records are coming," she wrote, and so they are.

Last year four states passed laws making original birth records fully accessible by adoptees. They are Oregon, Tennessee, Delaware, and Alabama. Kansas and Alaska have long been open records states making a total of six.

On June 12, 2000 the U.S. Supreme Court denied a motion to stay the Oregon law which had been approved by Oregon voters the previous November. With this new law Oregon adoptees are now able to access and receive copies of their original birth certificates. The modest processing fee for this is $15.00.

Now, with more than a dozen states targeted by adoption civil rights advocates, California is the latest to form the "OPEN 2000-2001" coalition to begin the work necessary to work with the legislative bodies in Sacramento to open records in this state.

HISTORY:

Historically, records were sealed not to protect adoptive parents from prying birthparents. In 1948 when the Child Welfare League of America passed a resolution recommending dosed records as standard practice in all states, the issue was around the "stigma" faced by adoptees. Birth certificates were routinely stamped "ILLEGITIMATE" in large bold letters affecting ones ability to seek a job, attend college, serve in the military or possibly even marry into a "good" family.

Also, in earlier times the thinking was a "baby would be "tainted" genetically because of the unmarried status of most birth parents. That sounds silly now, but in the past people thought differently. Records were dosed as an obvious way to protect the innocent infant from later shame and stigma. So, adoption secrecy was born.

FEAR:

Adoptive parents often fear the adoptee searching followed by birth family contact. "What if my child no longer loves me or stays attached to us?" "How will this affect our current relationship?" "Have I been a baby-sitter all these years?" "Does this search mean we have been poor parents?" These are questions often voiced by concerned and fearful adoptive parents.

Interestingly, adoptees report in large numbers they feel closer and more connected to their adopted family after a search has been completed. Not all adoptees feel a need to search, but large enough numbers are coming forth nationally, adoptive parents would be well advised to be realistic about this possibility and prepare. International adoption does not guarantee anonymity as searches are now commonly extended worldwide. The internet has brought remarkable changes in this arena.

CHANGES AND A NEW REALITY:

Open records are coming. Massive changes in the world of child welfare and adoption are being seen. The recent vote on the Hague Convention and children's rights is just one example of global awareness.

When parenting from the needs of the child and not our own needs, we offer our child the opportunity to feel safe and build bridges of emotional intimacy. Each child has the right to be who they are and seek their own destiny. For some, this will involve search and reunion. As parents, we owe it to them to be empathetic, prepared, loving, and supportive.

Credits: Ellen Roseman