Would access to original birth records for adoptees in all states initiate any further adoption reforms?

Sofiakat

Interesting question. There was a big uproar here in Ontario Canada when they changed the laws about records and information concerning adoption. My own social worker called us (during our adoption probation) with the news, as if we were going to be upset about it. I was relieved as now finding my childrens' birth mother would be much easier for us when the time comes. The new rules are that every birthparent and adoptees information will be accessible to everyone when the child is 18. All records will be open at that age as well. If a parent or adoptee does not want to be contacted they need to have a note put on their databank file saying so, and then if this is not honoured by the other party, there is a pretty hefty fine.
I think that this kind of access will have a positive effect for reforms. It definitely brought out the need for reform into the media spotlight again.
I am really happy that even now, I can call my worker and ask her how my kids mom is doing, if she is still living in the same area, etc etc.

LaurieDB

I just want to clarify for the poster who immediately went to the topic of reunion. The issue of open records is not about reunion. Reunions happen all the time in states that have closed records. There are already registries in place, too.

The issue of open records is about adopted citizens being given BACK the same rights under the law as non-adopted citizens. All citizens used to have this right, adopted or not. Starting around the WWII era, states began sealing records from adopted citizens.

Giving a child up for adoption doesn't seal the birth record -- the state seals it upon finalization of an adoption. No adoption = no sealed record, despite the first parents giving the child up.

Forty-four states seal from adopted citizens their own records of birth. No other citizens are treated in this suspect and demeaning manner.

Reforms only happen with continued work on the part of those who wish to make change. A big part of this means regularly writing to legislators and being heard.

Gershom

I think child placement reform needs to happen on a large scale. I have been following a discussion about this at PPL and that term really encompasses a wide set of wide scale problems that need reform in the industry.

I dont think that open records would necessarily trigger them, but I do think it is one of the steps to achieve a child rights centric system.

I can see the opening of records triggering investigations into black market adoptions, state CI scandals and altering of records, adoption agency accountability to surrendering parents ( i think many have been lied to, and agencies alter records or intentionally screw up reunions to keep the two parties from meeting and discovering the truths to their separation ) So I see a huge liability on the states part if records are opened. Which, imo is why the NCFA ( an organization composed of adoption agencies ) was formed to fight the open records movement.

So I guess my answer is yes, and no.

Shelly P. Tofu, E.M.T.

I dunno.. it would be a good start, I think. It would be a good positive step.. But whether it would force other changes, who can say?

But I am in favor of access to original BC.. especially for adult adoptees.. in other words.. adoptees should have the same rights to their OBC as non-adoptees do...

Randy B

Maybe, maybe not. What kind of additional reforms were you thinking it may encourage?

Do any states have a "double blind" system right now? Perhaps I've phrased that wrong but I'm thinking of a system whereby the birth parents and adopted children can make their desire for contact known to a registry and then if a match is made then contact can be facilitated? In that way, everyones right to privacy would be protected unless they choose to allow contact. Of course, that would necessitate a central database of adoptees and birth parents so that the submissions could be compared against it but it may have benifits.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: