The Evelyn B. Donaldson Adoption Institute has conducted a research project titled Safeguarding the Rights and Well Being of Birth Parents in the Adoption Process” and found that for those who choose adoption for their infants do not have their rights and needs sufficiently addressed in US law and practice. The link to the press release that was sent out November 19th is at http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/media/20061115_study_birthparents.php and the link for the study is at http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/research/2006_11_birthparent_wellbeing.php.

The press release states that the reason is that natural parents rights and needs aren’t sufficiently addressed is because of the misconceptions about who these women and men are.

The findings of the research project is in a 68 page report but below are some of the key points that were released in the above referenced press release.

• There are more adoptions in America today than is commonly understood. The Institute estimates over 135,000 annually; 13,000-14,000 of these involve voluntarily placed infants.

• Women placing infants today differ vastly from the past. Only about 1/4 are teens; the main group are women in their 20s who graduated high school, and many have other children.

• Contrary to stereotypes about them, birthmothers rarely want anonymity and the vast majority meet their children's adoptive parents. Few "closed" adoptions take place today, and a growing number are open arrangements involving regular contact.

• Most states do not legally require prospective parents to receive counseling or information about their rights with which to make informed choices on whether to place their children.

• Birthmothers in "closed" adoptions or who felt pressured to relinquish struggle most with chronic grief. Research suggests more information/contact brings greater peace of mind.

• "Mothers after childbirth are in a very vulnerable state, and this is one of the most important decisions of their lives," said Susan Smith, the Institute's Program and Project director and author of the study. "We need laws and practices that protect their rights and interests."