Why does Catholic Charities require all prospective adoptive parents to have an open adoption?
Catholic Charities believes that an open adoption truly honors all the participants in adoption, especially the child. The current research supports this belief. Research and our own experiences have demonstrated to us that the birth parent’s grief is better resolved by seeing with their own eyes that their child is being loved and doing well in their new family. The adoptive family receives the affirmation and sanction of the birth parents, which increases their sense of entitlement to the child. The child benefits by understanding the reasons for their adoption and having ongoing medical, social and genetic information about themselves. Most importantly, the child benefits by having their questions answered directly while receiving the affection and care of both the adoptive family and the birth family. Finally, openness helps eliminate the shame and secrecy of the closed adoption system.
