OPENNESS IN ADOPTION AND THE LEVEL OF CHILD PARTICIPATION

There is great controversy regarding the impact of openness in adoptio n, especially the impact of such an arrangement on adopted children. T hree indicators of the level of child participation in the openness ar rangement were examined: (a) level of openness reported by adoptive pa rents, (b) level of information adopted children reported having about their birthparents, and (c) whether adoptive parents have withheld an y pertinent information gained through communication with the birthmot her from the adopted child. 171 children (90 males, 81 females; mean a ge = 7.99) were studied to assess how that participation influenced th eir conceptual understanding of what adoption means, general self-wort h, satisfaction with level of openness, and curiosity about birthparen ts. Overall it does not appear that providing information about a chil d's birthparents will confuse the child about the meaning of adoption or lower the child's self-esteem, but neither will it move them to lev els of understanding that are beyond their cognitive capabilities to r each.