Lesbian, Gay, and Heterosexual Couples in Open Adoption Arrangements: A Qualitative Study

Little research has attended to the role of gender and sexual orientation in shaping open adoption dynamics. This qualitative, longitudinal study of 45 adoptive couples (15 lesbian, 15 gay, and 15 heterosexual couples) examined adopters' motivations for open adoption, changes in attitudes about...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of marriage and family 2011-04, Vol.73 (2), p.502-518
Main Authors: Goldberg, Abbie E., Kinkler, Lori A., Richardson, Hannah B., Downing, Jordan B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adopted children
Adoption
Adoptive parents
Attitude Change
Attitudes
Child adoption
Childbirth
Couples
Fathers
Female homosexuality
gay
Gays & lesbians
Gender
Gender identity
Heterosexuality
Homosexuality
Interpersonal Relationship
lesbian
Lesbianism
longitudinal
Longitudinal Studies
Male homosexuality
Minority Groups
Mothers
Of General Interest
Open adoption
Parent Attitudes
Parents
qualitative
Qualitative analysis
Qualitative research
Same sex marriage
Sexual Orientation
Sexual Preferences
Sexuality. Marriage. Family relations
Sociology
Sociology of the family. Age groups
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Summary:Little research has attended to the role of gender and sexual orientation in shaping open adoption dynamics. This qualitative, longitudinal study of 45 adoptive couples (15 lesbian, 15 gay, and 15 heterosexual couples) examined adopters' motivations for open adoption, changes in attitudes about openness, and early relationship dynamics. Key findings revealed that heterosexuals often described feeling drawn to open adoption because they perceived it as the only option, insomuch as few agencies were facilitating closed adoptions. In contrast, sexual minorities often appreciated the philosophy of openness whereby they were not encouraged to lie about their sexual orientation in order to adopt. Attitudes about openness varied over time, and changes in attitudes were attributed to a variety of factors such as perceived birth parent characteristics and the perceived nature of the birth parent relationship. Overall, although some participants reported tensions with birth parents over time, most reported satisfying relationships.
ISSN:0022-2445
1741-3737
DOI:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00821.x