Should an adopted adult have the same rights to identifying information about his or her origins as all non-adopted adults?
Thank you for your inquiry which is one of particular importance to my family and me.
We adopted our 18 year old daughter and kept in touch with her birth mother, through the adoption agency, from the beginning. We always anticipated that at 18 she would have opportunity to meet her birth mom. When she turned 17 her birth mother agreed to meet her when she turned 18.
Unfortunately, after we provided contact information, she never contacted us. It has been very painful for our daughter.
There are many things which our daughter would like to know and I'm sure this will increase as she gets older. She should have access to this information.
I believe there needs to be, along with access to the information, some protections in place should the birth parents or adopted child not wish to have direct contact.; the necessary information exchanged through the adoption agency or other person.
This is also something which is open to those of natural descent. Either the child, or their parents, may choose not to have direct contact upon the child achieving adulthood.
Thank you for your question.
