Question: When Is an Open Adoption Not a Good Idea?
Answer: birth family gang involvement
excessive drug & alcohol use - birth family may attend a visit under the influence and out of control - contact may be best through letters or phone calls in such cases
history of extreme abuse, visitation may re-traumatize child
history of sexual abuse, again traumatic
adoptive parents have been threatened
There are times when an open adoption is not in the best interest of a child. This is usually due to safety issues and is often the case in foster care adoptions.
Some Safety Concerns in Open Adoptions
If you are having a tough time making a decision on whether to choose an open adoption, consult a professional, such as a social worker or therapist who is familiar with your family and the child's case.
Give this decision a lot of thought. There are many pros to an open adoption and cons to an open adoption. An open adoption may ultimately be in your child's best interest.
