6 Open Adoption Facts That Will Surprise You

95% of U.S. infant adoptions have some level of openness.

55% of adoptions are open or fully disclosed.

40% of adoptions are semi-open, meaning they have mediated contact usually through an agency.

5% of adoptions are closed or confidential.

Source: Minnesota/Texas Adoption Research Project (MTARP)

Findings in this study show adult adoptees ages 18-23 preferred knowing who their birth parents were over not knowing.

While some reported challenges in an open adoption, none reported openness in adoption as a major issue in their lives.

Source: Siegel, D. H. (2012). “Growing up in open adoption: Young adults’ perspectives”

According to this research, families and adolescent adoptees in an open adoption did not feel openness was bothersome or troubling.

In fact, adoptive parents of teens indicated an open relationship with their child’s biological family member(s) was beneficial for their child’s identity.

Source: Siegel, Deborah H. (2008). "Open Adoption and Adolescence"

Research shows birth mothers in an open adoption have lower adoption-related grief than those in a closed or confidential adoption.

The same research indicated openness did not cause birth mothers to regret their decision to make an adoption plan.

Source: Minnesota/Texas Adoption Research Project (MTARP)

Adoptive parents in an open adoption with varying levels of communication indicated being less fearful that birth parents would reclaim their child.

Studies show adoptive parents in an open relationship with their child’s birth family are more empathetic toward birth parents and children who are adopted.

Source: Minnesota/Texas Adoption Research Project (MTARP)

Minnesota/Texas Adoption Research Project (MTARP)