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The initial hostility and suspicion of many adoptive parents is reflected in some of the questions they ask about birthparents when they inquire about open adoption:

Much of people's hesitation about pursuing open adoption comes from their fears about birthparents. They have heard such terrible stories about these women, not to mention the men. Why on earth would they want any type of connection with these people? Wasn't closed adoption right to limit the rights of these irresponsible women and men? Why would anyone want to grant them so much power over the babies and the adopting parents? "Don't they use drugs, or have AIDS? "Aren't many of these women out there just trying to get money from us and even willing to commit fraud to get it?" "How can I trust somebody who got pregnant so young?"