Notes

What is it like to be an adoptee?
A closed adoption alters the life of the parties involved.

Adult adoptees view the world differently than the rest of us. The process of adoption affects every aspect of their lives.

These children have unique experiences from being adopted, which skews their experience of themselves as they grow up. Though every child's adoption lived experience is unique, adoptees confront three typical challenges.

1. Loss or Grief Feelings


Many adopted children will experience feelings of loss, grief, anger, or worry as they grow older and try to comprehend their adoption. They may worry they have lost touch with their roots. This grieving may also elicit feelings of apprehension. Adopted children may ask, "What's wrong with me?" or "Are my adoptive parents going to leave me also?"

Adopted children require constant communication to overcome their worries. Kids who were adopted tend to do well when their adoptive parents acknowledge their feelings and allow the chance for self-expression. Adoptees who have a strong connection with their adoptive family or who have an open adoption situation are better equipped to handle their worries.

2. Identity Formation Problems

Identity formation begins early and becomes more significant during adolescence. Adolescence is the time when youth start to understand and explore their ego, where they're from, and what they hope to accomplish with their lives. Understanding these things can be especially difficult for adopted kids. Closed adoptions may leave adopted kids wondering why they were placed for adoption, what happened to their birth parents, if they had siblings, and if they resemble their biological family. Adopted children's genetics frequently hold a special place in their hearts.

Kids who were adopted frequently ponder if they have any personality traits in common with their biological family. Many adoptees used to look for their birth parents in the street when they were kids. Kids who were adopted are also curious about their medical histories. Kids who have access to their genetic history can learn about any diseases or problems that run in their family. Open adoption is really good for adoptees for these reasons. Open adoption gives answers.

3. Increased Confidence

Adopted children may be plagued by self-esteem issues as they mature. They may see themselves as odd, out of place, or unwelcome in social situations. They may feel as if they don't belong with others at times. Adoptees who are embarrassed or ashamed of their adopted status are more likely to lack self-confidence.

Those who are raised to regard their adoption as a positive experience are more likely to have a strong sense of self as adults. Adoptees who have strong relationships with both their adoptive and biological families have higher self-esteem and self-worth.

We've discovered through experience and research that open adoption often results in the best outcomes for adopted children. An open adoption gives adoptees a sense of belonging and aids them in overcoming whatever issues they may encounter as they grow up. Rather than imagining, they know who their birth parents are. Open adoptions eliminate the need for kids to wonder where they came from, what their biological parents look like, or why they were placed for adoption.

Open adoptions are just better for adoptees.

If you have an adopted child in your life, let her or him know that you are there for them, and that you listen closely. Open adoption or not, adoptees have unique issues that stem from being adopted.

My Website: https://genealogy.cocaw.org/