Independent Adoption Center » adoption myths

Study Shows Infant Adoption Has Changed, Only 5% Are Closed Adoptions

Erin Grimm — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:54:03 +0000

A study just published by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute shows that adoption trends have indeed shifted in recent years. Adoption, once clouded by secrecy, now encourages open communication and information sharing throughout a child’s lifetime. Findings from the study show that openness is beneficial for adoptive parents, birth families and adoptees alike.

Simply “opening” adoption, however, does not guarantee healthy relationships. The report made sure to identify factors that contribute to the long term success of open adoptions. Some important factors being pre-adoption counseling for both expectant and adoptive parents and ongoing, professional support for both parties after the adoption is complete.

The executive summary makes sure to point out, that although adoption has come a long way, many people entering the process — or those unaffected by adoption — still harbor misunderstandings about adoption deeply woven into history and the media. Adoption professionals, the institute concludes, must work hard to provide accurate information on the realities of openness and continue to push down adoption barriers.

The authors of this study are leading open adoption researchers, Deborah H. Sigel, Ph.D. and Susan Livingston Smith, LCSW.

The adoption study is also covered on ABC News.

To download the full report, visit the Adoption Institute website:
“OPENNESS IN ADOPTION: FROM SECRECY AND STIGMA TO KNOWLEDGE AND CONNECTIONS.”

Adopting a Baby with the IAC

Sarah Bryson — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:55:56 +0000

Recently, Barbara Rogers of Comcast NewsMakers interviewed the Independent Adoption Center’s Executive Director Ann Wrixon to find out more about open adoption with the IAC. Wrixon explains that some of the myths surrounding adoption are “simply not true”. She reports that there are infants out there to adopt. And, while some adoptive parents may have fears about open adoption, the fears are unwarranted as numerous studies continue to prove that open adoption is the healthiest type of adoption for adoptees, adoptive parents and birthparents. She goes on to say that the myths about who can and can’t adopt are also fallacious — the IAC, in it’s nearly 3 decades of placing infants in loving homes, has never had exclusionary policies for adoptive parents based on age, gender, ethnicity/race, sexual orientation or marital status. Just recently, in September 2010, the IAC was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for best practices with LGBT families. For more reading on gay/lesbian parenting read our blog post about a recent study conducted that included IAC clients.

Mostly, Ann hopes to communicate to families who want to adopt a newborn that they can do it! We hope you enjoy the video.

Son of Lesbian Mothers Speaks Out Against Iowa’s Legislation to Ban Gay Marriage

Ann Wrixon — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 01:54:30 +0000

Please take 3 minutes to watch this video. A 19-year old man, Zach Wahls, who was raised by lesbian mothers, speaks in defense of same sex marriage. But the most compelling argument he makes is that children raised by lesbian mothers have excellent outcomes. He is a prime example of what the research has already proven. Zach spoke on Feb. 1, 2011 before the Iowa State Legislature that is considering an amendment to the state constitution to ban same sex marriage.

Gay and Lesbian Parents Raise Well-Adjusted Children: IAC Families Participate in Groundbreaking Study

Ann Wrixon — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:50:21 +0000

Researchers at the University of Virginia and George Washington University published the results of a study showing that the adjustment of adopted children of Lesbians and Gay males is not only on par, but slightly better, than for children of Heterosexual parents. Five adoption agencies, including the IAC, recruited families to participate in the study.

The study, published in July 2010 in Psychology Press, is significant for several reasons. First, it includes outcomes for children of Gay male couples, which is a gap in the research that has previously focused on children of Lesbian and Heterosexual couples. Second, it used reports of the child’s adjustment from caregivers and teachers as well as parents, which provides greater validity to the results.

Unfortunately, there was no way to have a truly random sample. In addition, the children were a median age of only three years. A longitudinal study would provide a much richer look at the development process over time.

The most significant outcome is that well-adjusted children are the result of good parenting and other healthy family processes, and the sexual orientation of the parents is not a factor in this outcome. As Farr, Forssell, and Patterson state, “Regardless of parental sexual orientation, parents who reported less parenting-related stress, use of more effective disciplinary techniques, and greater happiness in their couple relationships had children who were described as ‘well-adjusted’.”

This study confirms other research on this topic, including the longitudinal study of children of Lesbian parents released in June of this year. See my blog post on this at: http://adoptionhelp.org/blog/2010/children-raised-by-lesbian-parents-have-excellent-outcomes/

Radio Interview with IAC Counselor Jennifer Bliss

Ann Wrixon — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:19:59 +0000

KCLU National Public Radio: Dr. Goldsmith interviews IAC LA’s Co-Branch Director and Open Adoption Counselor, Dr. Jennifer Bliss, PsyD, MSW, LCSW on open adoption.

Part 1: Fears & Myths of Openness
IAC counselor, Dr. Jennifer Bliss, talks in this radio interview about open
adoption. One of the radio hosts reveals he is adopted and was found by his
birthmother when he was 25 years old, and is now in touch with his extended
birth family including his birth nephews. Dr. Jennifer Bliss, addresses some
of the common myths and fears about open adoption. She also talks about some
of the differences between domestic and international adoption.

Part 2: Defining a Birthparent’s Role
The radio interview with IAC counselor, Dr. Jennifer Bliss, continues. Dr.
Bliss answers a caller’s concerns about a birth parent wanting the child
back after a few months or a few years. Dr. Bliss explains how seeing the
child happy and healthy in the adoptive home reassures birthparents that
they made the right decision. It does not make them want to take the child
back. She also explains the role of adoptive and birth parent in the child’s
life.

Part 3: Effects of an Open Relationship
This is the final installment of the radio interview with IAC counselor, Dr.
Jennifer Bliss. Dr. Bliss listens to the concerns of a caller who is an
adoptive mother. The caller is very concerned about the contact her now
teen-aged daughter is having with her birthmother. Dr. Bliss talks about
appropriate boundaries, and tries to offer the adoptive mother some new ways
to think about her situation. She also talks with the radio host about the
legacy of open adoption. How important it is for adoptees to be reassured by
their birthparents that they were wanted. They were not given away or given
up, rather they were placed for adoption out of great love.

Please Listen. We’d love to hear your comments!