The institute outlines in the press release main recommendations which include making information pressure fee decisions, their own legal representation, counseling about options which include adoption and parenting, and the impact of adoption. The Institute further recommends all states to establish legally enforceable post adoption contact agreements, the timing of relinquishment and signing of relinquishment need to be longer and informed periods, natural fathers rights should be protected more in the law and in practice.

It is also noted that the closed adoption era was highly stigmatized and had a negative impact on the lives of the natural parents. However in today’s practice of adoption there is more open and honesty where the natural parents can successfully adjust post adoption. Some even feel pride and confidence in the decisions that they made.

The process of adoption clearly has changed since those of us who were born in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70,s. The natural parents in the 80’s, 90’s and the current decade have had different experiences than natural mothers of the closed adoption era. So, my question is, why are some, not all, natural mothers of the closed adoption era, against adoption? I personally really just don’t understand.

The blog at http://reunionwritings.wordpress.com/2006/11/ on November 12th uses the analogy of a person who is advised that their leg needs amputated to making the decision to relinquish their child to adoption. I found this an interesting analogy. First, off I don’t think it is comparing apple to apples but this is what the writer chose. It gave me some mixed feelings and the bottom line is that there was a time in my life that I felt the same way about adoption. I didn’t want to hear of others adopting and I didn’t want to know or be happy for someone who I knew was adopting. However, this was my own personal issues and had nothing to do with the people involved and I knew that then and I know that now. However, my thoughts and feelings have changed and I contribute that to what my husband and I have gone through in our lives together trying to conceive and create a family of our own.