I am in favor of adoptive parents having full information on their child's birth parents. Most birth mothers I know would have gladly given their names to the adoptive parents in case their child ever wanted or needed the information. In private closed adoptions, birth parents sometimes receive the names of adoptive parents as well. The adoptive dad in this story said:

What if someone in my class checks CCAP and finds out they have a half brother or half sister they didn't even know about? It could be devastating for a family. These records are sealed for a reason.

As a teacher, Mr. Munro had given students an assignment to check on what information the Internet would reveal about them. His comment that the "records are sealed for a reason" brings up another interesting point. Is he implying that records are sealed so that siblings will not know about half brother and sisters? Does he believe that siblings have no right to know about each other?

It could also be the case that he believes that birth parents deserve their privacy. I wonder exactly what reasons he does believe are behind adoption records being sealed? Granted, for a child to bumble across names of half-siblings they never knew existed is not a good thought. However, is it acceptable for them not to be told?

Remember that popular saying by Sir Walter Scott, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" Have you ever pondered how thoroughly applicable that quote can apply to adoption? When children find out by accident about their adoptive status, whose fault is it? You may blame whoever "leaked" the information to them. However, I think adoptive parents have an obligation to provide truthful information to their children. Not everyone sees it that way it seems.