Opening Adoption Records Essay, Research Paper
Opening Adoption Records
When a child is adopted, it is standard procedure for a new birth certificate to be issued. On this new certificate the adoptee s new name appears, along with the names of the adoptive parents. All references to the adoptee s birth name, the name of the adoptee s birth parents and the fact of the adoption, are omitted. The original birth certificate is then placed in a confidential court file, is sealed, and becomes unavailable. Although many believe the records should be forever sealed, the practice of allowing records to be opened would prove to help many adoptees discover their biological background and heritage.
Before the active lobbying efforts of adoptive parents organizations in the 1940 s, the majority of states maintained open adoption records policies. It was the belief of those who proposed the sealed records that it served the best interest of all parties involved in the adoption. They felt it would protect the adoptive family and the adoptee from feeling the stigma of bastardy. They failed to account for the fact that the adoptee grows up and that may not be what is best for an adult adoptee.
Some psychologists believe that the adoptees inability to confront his or her biological origins may result in severe and long lasting psychological trauma. The need for some adoptees to learn about their biological heritage or medical background may be too much for some to handle. Additionally, at least one study has shown that only a relatively small portion of adoptees become well adjusted adults. There is always the question in their mind of why. Many adoptees feel a need or even a compulsion to discover the facts of their biological ancestry.
As an adoptee, my desire to open the records is extreme as well. I have always felt a stigma of being different. My adoptive parents had two biological children after my adoption. I am the only adopted child in my family. My desire was so fundamental that I would go around studying strangers for shared physical characteristics, or wonder if someone I knew could be my biological relation. This obsession has diminished over the years, but as a woman of childbearing age there is an entirely new reason to open the records. I was adopted in 1972 and the medical history required to release to an adoptive family was sketchy at best. There were not strict laws or requirements to the type or amount of information a biological parent must release. The information in my records that my adoptive parents received is less than helpful. I have contacted the adoption agency where I was placed, and for a fee, they will open my records and attempt to contact my biological parents. To me this seems to defy the reason behind the sealing of the records. If someone else can open the records and contact my biological parents then I do not see a reason why the adoptee should not be allowed access as well. At least be able to get the information requested without having to pay a fee.
Some adoptees have asserted a right to examine sealed records, based on a First Amendment freedom of information. They claim the sealed record laws interfere with a constitutionally guaranteed right to receive important information. Thus far, however, the courts have been unwilling to extend freedom of information protection to adoptees requesting access to the records.
The desire to know the circumstances surrounding one s adoption, and the desire to discover whom their biological parents are and what they look like is a strange thing. It has nothing to do with being unhappy or lack of love for one s adoptive family, it is just a way of finding out exactly who the adoptee is and where they come from. Every human being has that right and being adopted should not affect that person knowing the same information. Adoptions in the 20th century have changed immensely, but for those of us who still searching there needs to be some drastic change in the laws surrounding adoption records.
Even though many believe adoption records should be sealed forever to protect all parties involved in the adoption process, there should be some type of reform to allow adoptees the right to find their biological information and medical history. This issue will not go away no matter how much time passes. A possible solution would be, to seal the records following adoption but inform all parties that barring intervention by the biological parents or the adoptee, the records would be unsealed when the child reached age twenty-one. That would not cause any intervention when the adoptee was a child and would allow contact if either party felt the desire after the said age. This would be less costly and time consuming that the laws today and allow all parties involved participate in their own case.
Другие работы по теме:
Olympic games
Games of Olympiad Athens 1896 Date: 6 April 1896 Date of closing: on April, 15 1896 Games of II Olympiad Paris 1900 Date opening : 14 May 1900 Date of closing: on October, 28 1900
Beowulf Essay Research Paper At 845 am
Beowulf Essay, Research Paper At 8:45 a.m. EDT, the first of two airliners crashed into the World Trade Center, opening a horrifying and apparently coordinated terrorist attack on the United States, which saw the collapse of the two 110-story towers into surrounding Manhattan streets and a later attack on the Pentagon.
Apathy Towards Hunting Essay Research Paper Apathy
Apathy Towards Hunting Essay, Research Paper Apathy Towards Hunting When I was around eleven years old I wanted to go deer hunting more than anything else I could remember. There was one problem my dad would not let me go with out a hunter’s safety certification. So that year I enrolled in a class and got my certification.
Cover Letter Essay Research Paper To whom
Cover Letter Essay, Research Paper To whom it may concern: I am writing to you because I am interest in a Software Engineer position. I heard about your opening through the career department at George Mason University. This position fits with my major, experience, and career interest.
Five Pillars Essay Research Paper VI am
Five Pillars Essay, Research Paper I am writing my essay on an african american woman named Kelly Saddler. Who adopted a one year old baby girl named Bria in the spring of 1989, and was repeatedly turned down by the courts for financial adoption assistance in the state of Ohio.
Christabel Essay Research Paper The poem is
Christabel Essay, Research Paper The poem is the beginning of a tale about a demon or vampire. At the opening, it is midnight. Everyone is asleep except for Christabel, who is roaming the woods longing for her lover. She encounters a beautiful lady who had been kidnapped by five warriors, tied to a white horse, and brought to the oak tree.
Analysis Of An Essay On Abortion Essay
, Research Paper How is Selzez a Philosopher, as well as, a Doctor? Abortion is a tremendous issue in our society today. As well as the article ?Abortion? by Selzer, I have also read Mortal Lessons, a book he had also written. Selzer is an author who wrote in order to describe ?unsparingly the surgeon?s art, opening up the body to view one part at a time.? The article ?Abortion? classifies him as a doctor, but the way in which he writes makes him a philosopher as well.
Adoption Essay Research Paper Did you know
Adoption Essay, Research Paper Did you know that it is estimated that approximately one million children in the United States live with adoptive parents, and that between 2-4% of U. S. families include an adopted child (Stolley, 3)? Well, its true! It is estimated that there are approximately 120,000 children adopted each year (Flango and Flango, 1).
Servqual Essay Research Paper PS1 What is
Servqual Essay, Research Paper PS.1 What is the ServQual model ? PS.2 What are the advantages and disadvantages of the model? PS.3 In what situation can it be used?
Opening A Pool Essay Research Paper How
Opening A Pool Essay, Research Paper How to Open and Close an Outdoor Pool If you have never opened or closed your outdoor pool before, and you are in any doubt as to your ability to do so, you would be better off calling your local pool center to do the job for you. However, if you are somewhat familiar with pool care and are willing to undertake the work yourself, the following guidelines should be provide adequate information to help you along the way.
Critical Analysis Of Steinbeck
’s Of Mice And Men Essay, Research Paper In Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” the characters struggle with loneliness and loss of dreams. These themes are highlighted by the use of parallels that tie the novel together. The relationship between Candy and his dog parallels that which exists between George and Lennie.
Adoption
& Measure 58 In Orego Essay, Research Paper Adoption & Measure 58 in Oregon Oregon adoptees won a nineteen month court battle to see their birth certificates, which have been sealed since 1957. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner refused to continue a hold on Measure 58, an adoption rights law approved by voters in Oregon in 1998.
Abortion Essay Research Paper Adoption should be
Abortion Essay, Research Paper Adoption should be made easier than Abortion Humans have a tendency to take many substantial factors in life for granted. Opposing views of pro-life and pro-choice options affect many individuals on a daily bases. Some choose the convenience of abortion while others wish that adoption could be easier to accomplish.
Alfred Hitchcock
’s Film Psycho Essay, Research Paper In the opening situation of Alfred Hitchcock’s film Psycho, we’re at a hotel room where a man named Sam and a woman named Marian are seeing themselves privately. Marian seems like a very respectful woman, however, early in the film we see her steal $40,000 from her boss in the first opportunity she has.
Price Of Glory Essay Research Paper A
Price Of Glory Essay, Research Paper *A new movie called “The Price of Glory” is opening Friday, March *31,2000 all over. However, this movie will only be out for two weeks, if the
Amerisports Bar Essay Research Paper Opening the
Amerisports Bar Essay, Research Paper Opening the Amerisports Bar Opening the Sports Bar here in Council Bluffs is a big job with a lot of responsibilities. There are a number of things that have to be done each morning to ensure that each customer has an enjoyable experience. This is one of the biggest sports bars in this area and attracts many from around the world.
The Twig Is Bent Essay Research Paper
As The Twig Is Bent After reading the last chapter in As The Twig Is Bent I started thinking. What was the whole purpose of the actual writing, What ideas and attitudes was he trying to convey and how does Terry Lane the author shape the readers response through different techniques and conventions.
Experience Of A Real Nightmare Essay Research
Paper When I opened my eyes, Couldn?t describe the scene, of a human brain hanging from the light bulb. The sight was too scary that I surge to the door, Opening the door, I was in graveyard alone.
Sinners In The HAnds Of An Angry
God Essay, Research Paper The passages given from the Edwards? ?Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God? and the opening sentence of the Declaration both include many points such as the tone, diction, and syntax. The points shown throughout each sentence aims for the intent of obtaining the attention of the audience.
Cue Ball In Hand Behind The Head
String: Billiards Essay, Research Paper CUE BALL IN HAND BEHIND THE HEAD STRING This situation applies in specific games whereby the opening break is administered or a player’s scratching is penalized by the incoming player having cue ball in hand behind the head string. The incoming player may place the cue ball anywhere behind the head string.
Smart Cards Essay Research Paper Smart cards
Smart Cards Essay, Research Paper Smart cards are transforming business around the world from reducing fraud and opening up on-line transactions in banking, personalizing services for mobile phone users, to securing access to PCs and corporate networks, and speeding transportation by using electronic ticketing.
The Movies Essay Research Paper The speaker
The Movies Essay, Research Paper The speaker in the movie viewed in class on February 5, 2001 gave a very good presentation on the procedures performed during C.P.R. and the benefits of knowing this life saving procedure. Although the speech was audience capturing, there were a few improvements that would have helped improve her presentation.
The Lady Of The Lake By Sir
Walter Scott (1771 – 1832) Essay, Research Paper This absorbing tale, opening with an account of a stag hunt in the Highlands, is typical of Scott. He invented the historical
Spring Offensive Essay Research Paper SPRING OFFENSIVEWilfred
Spring Offensive Essay, Research Paper SPRING OFFENSIVE (Wilfred Owen) Wilfred Owens poem Spring Offensive explores the unnatural offensive of war against spring or nature. Opening with Halted against the shade of the last hill Owen suggests both the calmness of the shade and the deadly implication of last.
My Fist Job Essay Research Paper My
My Fist Job Essay, Research Paper My first job was a job I would never want to work again. For one year I worked at an Arby s restaurant. I heard about the job from my father who knew the owner of the restaurant. I went to apply for the opening and to my amazement there was no application or interview asked of me. I was handed a uniform and put to work.
Agamemnon Symbolism Of Darkness In Beginning Essay
, Research Paper Throughout the ages of literature, darkness has often been used as symbolic in representation for evil, concealment, and blindness. In the opening of Agamemnon, the darkness that consumed the scene was used for effect in order to convey indirectly, themes of evil, concealment, and blindness.
Religious Influence On Puritan Literature Sinners In
The Hands Of An Angry God Essay, Research Paper Homosexual Adoptions By: Anonymous Should homosexual couples be allowed to adopt children? The question concerning gay couples adopting children has become major problem in our society. This has become more of a political issue than a moral issue. If the question is looked at morally instead of politically then there would be no question at all.
Recycling Essay Research Paper Why The Kids
Recycling Essay, Research Paper Why The Kids Won’t Recycle There are a few reasons why kids don’t think too highly of recycling. The first reason, haunting most of us, is the fact that we are lazy. Most kids will just throw their garbage away in the nearest garbage, no matter what it happens to be for. Another problem is that the paper recycling bins have the largest opening.
Pride And Prejuidice Essay Research Paper Gretchen
Pride And Prejuidice Essay, Research Paper Gretchen Boling Mrs. Wood A.P. Language & Composition 12 April 2000 Openings The tone of many novels is set within the first few lines or pages; the reader can also tell the author’s style through diction detail, and syntax. Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice is a novel such as this- Austin’s opening sentence sets the tome for the rest of the book preparing the reader for her satirical treatment of regency manners and morals, the novel will become, learns her style of the novel, and it also sets up foreshadowing for the novel.
Moby Dick Essay Research Paper The Destroyer
Moby Dick Essay, Research Paper The Destroyer As the demon slowly emerged from the place where he had been entombed for nearly a thousand years, He thought to himself,”This world will once again feel my wrath , nothing will stop me from opening the gates of Hell and realesing my brothern into this world and taking for our own.” Then realizing that he was still in his demonic form he assumed the idenity of modern day human.His journey began at that very moment, destined for the “Holy City of Rome.” Meanwhile:In Newyork City It’s two oclock in the mourning.