Tina was given for adoption as a baby. Her adoptive parents were not informed of who the biological parents were. Tina, who knows she was adopted, is contemplating using social media networks to find out who her birth parents are

Question

What kind of adoption is exemplified here and what are the effects of social media on such adoptions?
What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Tina's adoption is an example of a closed adoption. In a closed adoption, the records of the adoption are kept sealed, the birthparent isn't involved in the adoptee's life, and the child has no contact with the biological parents and little, if any, information about them. Because of social media networks, especially Facebook, adopted children have found and contacted their birth mothers. Some birth mothers don't mind, but others resent the violation of their right to privacy, especially if the birth resulted from a rape or violent relationship. Being contacted by a biological child can renew past traumas that the mothers may have struggled to overcome. Adopted children argue, however, that they have a right to meet their biological parents and learn about genetic health histories that may affect their own children.