Closing Arguments: Open Adoption Records?

Thank you for showing this segment on
OpenAdoption.I, too am an adoptee~would
very much like to know my heritage/health/family members~~ is Ohio an open adoptionstate?

Thanks for any feedback,
I like watching all the Niteline programs.

I think if the biological parent has made no effort, in later years, to pursue information about the child that it should not be simple to find ones biological parents.

I think that if the parents giving the child up want it to remain closed, then it should be. But I believe that medical records are sooooo important and the child should have them.

I am a birthmother that has been in touch with the child that I placed for adoption. I personally think that open records is the way to go. Although I am not currently in contact with my daughter, neither of us regrets making contact, and having our questions answered. I have been able to update medical information for her, and I found out that she has a wonderful family, like I was promised she would have. That took a load off of my heart to know she was happy in her family.

I feel that if the parent gave the child up for a good reason, like not being able to take care of the child, the if they wish then they could register for the child to find them. In turn, if the child wants to be found or is looking for their parents, then they too can find or be found. Like a Friend Finder site...

As the mother of two adopted children, I think adoption records should be open to allow adoptees to find their biological parents if they so desire.

Please encourage all states to make it easier for adult children to find birth families.
Thank you,
Veronica

I personally think that it should be easy for a person adopted out to be able to find thier parents. My mother was adopted out, And she has tried to find her natural mother, With no luck. I have a problem with blood clots, and so does my sister. A few of my neices do as well. It would be nice to know exactly what has been passed down from generation to generation. If not make it easy for them to find thier real parents, Then atleast for the medical part of it.

It seems to me that everyone should be afforded the basic human right to know their birth information. Probably, adoptees will want open records and the birth parents will not!
It wasn't the doing of the child to make these circumstances. It would be nice for the 'adults' to own up to the responsibility of the effects they caused.

I am an adoptee who searched and found her biological parents in 1967--long before it was fashionable or at all supported by society.

I support open record laws for all 50 states. My search was conducted in Florida which at the time had a law requiring my records be kept in "perpetuity" and allowing me to legally inherit from my biological parents.

I did in fact inherit $10,000 from my biological mother. I used it to get my Master's degree in Information Science.

My mother was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Tennessee in the 1930's. I like to think I inherited her brains and her maverick ways.

Why should just the parents have a say in this? I think the children should have a right to the information just as the parents do.

I believe that everyone has a right to know who their parents are. If someone has the right to birth a baby, that baby, as an adult, has the right to know from whence she/he came -- if only to know medical information.

I believe, at the very least, adoptees should be given access to medical background and genetic information. As a grateful adoptee, I am appreciative of my life but resentful that I am not permitted to know anything about my bloodline. Much as the woman in your broadcast, I do not want to disrupt anyone's life, but knowing your heritage should not be dealt with this way. I am from Illinois where the records are still sealed.

i was adopted at 2 months, in 1958. i know exactly what this lady has been going through. i am in Texas. i am planning to petition the district court in Austin, TX to have my court records unsealed. at my age, 50, time is becoming a factor. my birth mom and birth dad may not be alive anymore. i only hope that i have natural siblings. i wish only success for her and i hope she gets to meet her unseen family. i think that in this day and age, the birth family would be forgiving and would accept her to their fold.
Kenneth Trochta El Campo, Texas

I feel their should be a way for the children to unite only if the birth mother and father registers for them to. If the birth mother and father doesnt then they should leave medical records of family history and gene samples ect.. for the child to have some sense of their past and present health risks etc..and every 10 years the birth parents should have to update their medical and maybe they might change their mind about meeting and know that they did the right thing for the child.

I've had a lot of personal experience with this topic. Some days I regret finding out who they were and other days I'm glad that I knew who they were. It's a very split emotion. I was very glad to find out their medical background so I would have some knowledge of what to expect in my elder years, but to find out how I got into the situation of adoption to begin with, was extremely difficult to process. I was glad to "meet" my siblings but was afraid that it would alienate my adopted siblings. I believe that adoptions are closed for a reason and that it should remain so unless the child petitions the courts.

At 43 Years old, I believed that I found my biological mother, sent her a letter (signature required, so I knew SHE got it) and hoped for, at least, a phone call. Well, I never heard a word and she soon deleted her profiles on places like Classmates.com, etc. I still believe to this day that I found her, and would love to confirm that through unsealing my records (California). But I also understand, just like in your program, that she may be afraid to let anyone else know. I would not want to bring that hurt upon her or her family. So, I guess, I see and understand both sides of the story.....I just wish it were easier to acertain and legislate that one side is more "just" than the other in their quest or secrecy.

Yes, I think records should be open.My son recently contacted me after 36 years and it was very painful at first, but I think the truth shall set you free.

Thank you for airing this segment. I am 40 years old and was adopted at birth. A few years ago I found my biological family and now have 5 siblings who I adore. They have not replaced the wonderful family I've always had, but have enhanced my life. I feel very strongly that I have a right to know my biological orgins and feel that the laws need to change. We all have a right to know this information.

I THINK EVERY PERSON HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW WERE THEY COME FROM.THERE ARE MANY RESONS PEOPLE DO THINGS RIGHT OR WRONG,BUT NOT BEING ALOUD TO KNOW WERE YOUR LIFE BEGAIN IS SAD.