At first blush, reunion and open adoption may appear to have little in common. However, I tend to believe that both present similar issues for birth parents. For instance,in an open adoption, if there is consistent contact, I would guess that the loss issue may seem ever present. I am not saying that the loss is with you constantly, but, if there is consistent contact, I would imagine that the loss issue pops up on a fairly regular basis.

In reunion, where there is consistent contact, I believe again that the issue is often in the forefront of one’s consciousness. This is particularly true in the early years of reunion, possibly longer. Some birth mothers probably refuse to reunite as they feel unable to address their issues. Just as some few birth mothers may not choose open adoption as they would rather not be constantly faced with their issues.

Unlike closed adoptions,it is nearly impossible to constantly block out the loss issue at reunion and during an open adoption. Not everyone is able even in a closed adoption to successfully block out and ignore the loss issues. However, I would imagine in an open adoption, the loss is even more present, as it is in reunion.

In both open adoption and reunion, you have the comfort of at least knowing where your child is and how they are doing. Closed adoptions do not provide for birth parents to know anything about their child, and that is a very painful and difficult feature.

Open adoption and reunion also provide the child, who may at reunion be an adult, with information about its birth family. Both also provide necessary medical information as well.

Lastly, I believe that reunion and open adoption are similar because both are misunderstood. Many people believe that both resolve the usual issues and problems that adoption presents for triad members. While both may mitigate the damage, they definitely do not completely erase all issues.