Is Privacy the Only Reason for Closed Adoption Records?
A new article by Patrick R. Brannigan, State's adoption law protects privacy of birth mothers, too, appeared on APP.com and it seems to be getting a lot of comments from birth moms. Brannigan, executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference, takes a strong stance of privacy or closed adoption records. He states that closed records have been around for decades, so basically, why fix what's not broken. He quoted some research from 1977 and then went on to make some points about closed adoption records. His main point, it's for the protection of all members of the triad.
The other reasons noted in Brannigan's article:
- Secrecy of identity for bio parents allows placement of child and for the bio parents to go on with their lives.
- Records being kept private allow adoptive parents to go on with their lives without fear of interference by birth family.
- Records being closed also keeps adoptee from being found out as an illegitimate child.
Yep, that research sounds like it came from 1977.
I think I'm at a loss with this issue as I live in Kansas, an open records state. So, when an adoptee reaches age 18 here that person can fill out a form and gain access to their adoption file.
Are there any other reasons out there for closed adoption records besides privacy? What have you heard? What do you think? Click "comments" below and share. If you need more information check out the links below.
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Learn more about Adoption Records:The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute Explores Opening Adoption Records - Research into the issue.
Open Records vs. Birth Mother Protection - A birth mother speaks out.
Tools for Open Records Activism - Model for legislation.
Hmm…New Jersey Catholic Conference! Well, yes I do have a theory. I was told int he 70’s when I reported abuse at home that it was more important that I be raised Catholic than safe. Seems the Catholic Church continues to want Catholic babies…even if they are born to nonCatholic women. Let’s face it, Catholic Charities among others, has adopted out a lot of babies and continues to do so. Many abortion-option programs are run via Catholic efforts. They sure wouldn’t want a child growing up and discovering its nonCatholic birth mother/father and getting any ideas. And we don’t want people thinking that good Catholic girls get pregnant without being married. And what if all those ladies who are considering adoption for their child change their mind knowing they may meet their child again some day. Why they might keep them and raise their children themselves in defiance of church expected responses. How can a priest absolve you of your “sin” if your “sin” can come back to bite you in the butt 18 years later? Ultimately in Catholicism the interests of the church outweigh the interests of the child or the birth parents. I guess I am just not really a fan of the Catholic Church when you get right down to it.
I had a Son back in 1962,I would love to find him, but is a sealed adoption,and I don’t have the money to go thru court,at his age I think he should be allowed to see the records,and also I should be allowed to too,I don’t want to interrup his life,I’d just like to know if he is ok.Thank-You
I have two open adoption agreements with two separate birth families. Most of the time it is really about what is in their best interest, rather than what is in the best interest of my children. One of them quite a lot more than the other.
They seem to want to have him be like them, when he is uniquely himself. They seem to think that he should have ADHD, OCD, and a plethora of other psychological and emotional problems when he does not, just because “it runs in the family.” They have accused me of only adopting him because “of the money.” I’m still not sure what they mean about that, but I am really quite in love with both my son, and my daughter.
Really, we see each of these families two times per year, for a total of four times since there is two families. I have even extended additional “visits” to them, and it is never enough. My son goes and plays with his siblings, and they ignore him and talk to my husband and me, instead.
I think that open adoption visits are not for everyone, and there should not be any generalizations made. I think that an adoptive family should think long and hard about extending visits to biological family members, no matter who they are.
The only benefit that I see that is truly for the child is that IF he is ever interested (and not all adopted children are), he can choose to contact without lengthy paperwork, or courtroom drama.
Really this is supposed to be about the best interest of the child, and never about the best interest (or soul searching) of the biological family.
I agree with Carla to a great extent. Everyone should honor the spirit of their agreements. I want laws to remain in force that protect the child’s needs first, but I also want to keep options and protections available to birth parents. However, I don’t think the answer to the shame and silence forced upon birthparents in the past, is now remedied by the unrealisticly idealized view of The Reunion I often see promoted in adoption literature. My own experience bears this out (with my birth family), but that is another post! Each situation is different; we are talking about individuals.
I understand what the last two posters are saying. In no way should we go back to the shame of the past. But “The Reunion” wouldn’t be so romanticized if it never had to be due to more openness in adoption.
My sons are in a reunion right now and I am glad that as an adoptive parent I still have the option and right to back the contact off further. It’s just not going well and seems to be very unhealthy. Wish it was – but it’s not.
It is very individual.
Another reason the Catholic Church has a vested interest in keeping the records sealed is the babies that were fathered by clergy abuse and then later sold by Catholic Charities for a large price to adoptive parents.
As a 65 year old adoptee who had done the “official” search in Ky and was denied because of closed adoption records I went to Omnitrace.com . It has been 2 years no info and I am $1200 poorer. Are they really legitimate? I have a lot of info for them so it should not have been that hard. Thank you Gail Jones
Any luck yet Gail? I am considering using Omnitrace but don’t want to waste my money.
In regards to Carla Grytdal’s comment, ADHD and OCD are not psycological or emotional problems. They are for my family and many, many others a fact of life. It is a difficult thing to live with and deal with on a daily basis and has taken many years to learn how to adjust. Also, this comment ~”I have even extended additional “visits” to them, and it is never enough. My son goes and plays with his siblings, and they ignore him and talk to my husband and me, instead.” ~ Your son, plays with his siblings because 1) he does not know us, because you refuse to tell him who we are. You tell him we are just friends. These are your words. 2) You monopolize our time with your diarea of the mouth disease, and 3) you never let him more than 10 feet from you. Who do you think he’s going to want to be with, strangers or his comfort zone?
One more note in regards to Carla’s “extended family visits” (out of the kindness of her heart), although we do greatly appreciate the time with our nephew, Carla had other motives. We believe she was trying to coax information from us regarding my now adopted daughter that she so desperately wanted and went to very great lengths to get. To her dismay, her extreme and many attempts were all futile. My adopted daughter is also her adopted sons sister. Now why would contact with a sibling in a stable and healthy environment not be considered “in the child’s best interest”?
I believe it is in the child’s best interest that this particular boy is allowed to see and know his sister and the family that also loves him very much. We will always be here for him with open arms. In due time he will have freewill and will be able to make his own decisions about whether we are good or bad people. If we were so bad, the courts would not have let me adopt his sister.
I breifly saw him today, he did not remember me much. He did not know his sister at all. I quickly let him know that the reason we were there each year is so that he does not forget. I will continue to be there and he will not forget!
Do not use Omnitrace. They will take your info, your money and run.