The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute Explores the Need for Open Adoption Records

Last November, in time for National Adoption Month, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute brought forth new research that advocated for birthparents. This November, in time for National Adoption Month, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute has not disappointed, this time focusing on the rights of adoptees, the right for open adoption records and access to original birth certificates.

This new study For the Records: Restoring a Right to Adult Adoptees, comes from decades of experience and history from the adoption community within the United States.

Why is the concept of open adoption records so scary to people? I live in Kansas, one of the "always had open adoption records" states. I can tell you that I am personally thankful for open adoption records. Without open adoption records we may have never had contact with our sister. One of the first things she asked us at our first meeting was regarding our family's health information. How important it was/is for her to have the knowledge that our mother battled breast cancer, and lost.

Alex Haley (Roots) is quoted within the body of the study,

"In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage, to know who we are and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning; no matter what our attainments in life, there is the most disquieting loneliness."

I can add nothing to that.