Adopted Children

[Jazzy]

Do you think adopted children should have the right to know who their biological parents were? Why or Why not?

 

[Temerit]

No, because it doesn't matter. However I do like the idea of the biological parent having the option to see their child if they want after the child is eighteen and has expressed a desire to meet that parent.

 

[Jazzy]

No, because it doesn't matter.

What about medical history? What about other siblings or extended family members the adoptee may have?

However I do like the idea of the biological parent having the option to see their child if they want after the child is eighteen and has expressed a desire to meet that parent.

Why should the biological parent have any options when they gave none to the child they gave up for adoption?

 

[Temerit]

What do you mean they gave none to the child? Haha what are they going to do? Consult an infant and ask him/her what they want to have happen? Don't try and demonize parents for putting kids up for adoption. If you want to do that you better be pro-choice. The biological parents should have the option because I don't believe they should be forced to meet with their child if they don't want to.

What about medical history? What about other siblings or extended family members the adoptee may have?

I'm not sure how adoption works, but I'm pretty sure the medical histories of the biological parents and family members are tied to the medical records of the adopted child, but the identity of the biological family is not disclosed.

 

[Nebulous]

I have a cousin who is adopted and he wasnt told until recently (he is like 15 now). They wanted to wait until he was old enough to understand.



He said he would have been resentful towards them if they waited until he was an adult.

 

[Kahnai]

My friend at school was adopted, and she can't remember a time when she didn't know that she was. But she says she didn't want to meet her real parents because in her eyes the parents she had were her real parents.



Maybe upon adopting a child the parents could get a copy of medical records that are important.

 

[LunarScorpio]

I think adopted children should be told that they've been adopted. They should be able to chose whether or not they see their biological parents. Finding out that you're adopted by some other means (instead of by the adoptive parents) could potentially make the child resentful of them for not telling them sooner. It's better they tell the child instead of having them find out on their own, in my opinion.

 

[Nebulous]

I suppose if the adopted child was a different nationality (Like the child was black and the parents were white), then there would be no choice in the matter. The child would soon realize that he/she looked different than his parents & family.



In my cousin’s case, he looked like a biological part of the family. When he was younger people would say He takes after <insert family member's name> or they would say to his mom or dad: Aww what a cute baby, he looks just like you.



Nobody ever said He is adopted. in response to people saying that because we respected the parents (my uncle and aunt's) decision to wait.

 

[RichEdmonds]

I don't think they should have the right, but more of the choice. Then you have the side of the biological parent(s) who may not wish to meet their child due to numerous reasons. Even if the child isn't adopted and is raised by a single parent, I believe if the absent parent doesn't wish to see the child at any point in their life (for whatever reason) then their wish should be respected. It can't really be generalised as every case is different, and many absent parents or biological parents have very good reasons why a relationship with their child is a bad idea.

 

[BeautifulAngel]

I think that it all depends on the circumstances.. I mean if it's a young couple that gave their child up for adoption because they thought that that child had a better life else where then I think that they should be able to keep in touch and what not. However if it was a couple who were abusive or addicts then maybe it's best not to know their biological parents. Like I said it all depends on the circumstances but I think once the kid is about 16-18 or something it should be allow to have a say.