A Birth Father’s Involvement with an Open Adoption
When asked about birth parents and adoption, the majority just think about the child’s birth mother and her role in the life-creating process. The focus, too, also more commonly centers around her and the child — particularly in an open adoption agreement. But, what about the birth father? After all, without him, the child being placed for adoption wouldn’t exist. Does he get a say in anything?
Adoption Choices of Arizona understands and acknowledges that the birth father is just as essential to the adoption journey as the birth mother. That he is still able to be part of the process if he is known, and the birth mother permits him.
This piece hopes to shed light on a birth father’s involvement with an open adoption. If you have more questions, you can always contact us by calling or texting 1-480-900-5520.
What is an Open Adoption?
First things first, what is open adoption? Open adoption means that birth families and adoptive families may stay in contact if they wish to do so. Furthermore, the adoptive child is given the right to freely access their adoption records and birth family records once they are of legal age. This is as opposed to a closed adoption where the birth family records are sealed, and there is no cross-familial contact.
A Birth Father’s Involvement with an Open Adoption
In any standard adoption, consent is required from both birth parents, unless one party is unreachable. This is still true in an open adoption. However, there is another level of commitment required from both sides of the adoption. In relation to the birth father, he is agreeing to be identified as the birth father, and, furthermore, remain connected with the child and his or her adoptive family. He is agreeing to be more connected to his child than he would be in a closed adoption.
A Birth Father and the Emotional Impact of an Open Adoption
The truth is, all adoptions are emotional. A birth father who is willing to do what is best for his child, even if that means placing them up for adoption, is so strong. The birth father who chooses an open adoption is even stronger. He is exposing himself to seeing his child thrive with another family, even though he loves them and it still can be painful.
We won’t lie. Remaining involved in your child’s life can be hard. Your child may ask you questions about why you placed them for adoption. Do not feel ashamed of your emotions, you made the biggest parenting choice of all. You chose to provide your child with the best future possible, while still being involved in his or her life.
To the Birth Father Considering Adoption
A true father is someone who is willing to make a loving and selfless decision in favor of providing their baby with the best possible future. Are you a birth father considering adoption? At Adoption Choices of Arizona, we recognize that not all birth fathers are involved in the adoption process. Each and every birth father is unique. However, if you are a birth father choosing to place your baby for adoption, we are here to support you as you and your partner consider adoption.
For more adoption resources, visit Adoption Choices of Arizona or call or text us at 1-480-900-5520.
Meet the Author: Grace Myers is a sophomore Digital Media major at North Greenville University, excited to work with Adoption Choices over the next couple of months. As a firm believer that every individual has a story to tell, and a right to be properly represented, she loves meeting new people and learning their stories.
When she’s not writing, you can find her listening to music or cuddling with her dog, Sundae.
