What major problems were caused by opening records to adoptees in the UK and Australia?

Question

Adoptees in the UK and Australia have been able to access their OBC's and records for decades. What major problems has this caused? Has there been an increase in birth parent homicides? Birth parent suicides? What problems have the UK and Australia seen, that we could expect to see in the US if we also opened the records to adoptees?

We are, after all, pretty much the same in regards to being civilized, "western" societies...so I wonder, can anyone find true-to-live examples of just why it DOESN'T work in the UK and Oz?

Answer 1

So I thought I would look up info on NZ (similar to Australia but  vetoes were allowed)

In a report from the Law Commission in NZ

When the law first changed in 1986 there were 3730 vetoes placed.

Vetoes expire 10 years after placing them and therefore must be renewed every 10 years.

In 1996 (10 years later) only 489 of the 3730 vetoes were renewed and the rate at which vetoes were placed slowed remarkably. (pg 174)  

Vetoes can only be placed by those adopted prior to 1985.

So it seems the problems you can expect is for society to be a lot more accepting than thought and feared!

Answer 2

You know what happened when the opened the records?   NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

None of the terrible things that Americans say will happen if Adoptees are allowed access to their own Birth Information ever happened - funny that, isn't it

Fears and myths . . .

Answer 3

In Australia - none.

Although - some may see lower adoption rates as a 'problem' - as since records have been open - and lies, secrecy, money & coercion have been removed from adoption - rates have plummeted to under 500 adoptions per year - compared to USA - over 130,000 per year.

Yes - I'm sure that those that want to see more adoptions - that open records would be seen as a 'problem'.

Answer 4

There haven't been 'headlines' because there are no catastrophes to report. There have been many stories about adoptees experiencing rejection from their biological mothers who took part in adoption before open records and so believed the adoptions would be kept in secret. Many wanted it that way.

But there are also many stories of people being successfully reunited with their biological families because of open records. I am in this group and I think all adoptees have a right to information about their heritage. Anyone who is not adopted doesn't understand the longing for information during childhood and adolescence than an adoptee has.

The US is very backward in its treatment of adoptees. Many people oppose open records, but I have only seen the benefits.

Answer 5

There are Zero problems...

I got mine

I found my Mother (who gave birth to me) and my sister and an entire family, one of which I got to spend 5 mths with last year when she visited Australia from the UK

So No , no massive problems and although my Mother (who gave birth to me) at first reunited but then rejected me , there have been no majorily detrimental problems to either of us and in fact maybe it gave her some peace to know I was ok and for me to know where i came from

the USA needs to GET WITH THE TIMES !

Answer 6

I personally believe that a small number of adoptive parents do not wish for their adoptive children to search for their biological family. I think it has more to do with insecurities than being supportive of their adoptive children. Thank goodness my parents were more than supportive when I decided to search. In fact they encouraged it. So glad that my parents were not insecure!! =)

Answer 7

Even though I don't know anything in regard to the UK's and Australia's stats, I can't help but comment on information regarding the reopening of records in U.S. states.

For example, the Oregonian Newspaper vehemently opposed Measure 58, which ultimately reopened seal birth records to adult adopted citizens.  The Oregonian took the stance that they felt problems could arise because the believed that birth mothers were promised anonymity.  Despite the views of this newspaper, it recently ran an article stating that the problems it expected have not materialized.  It has been a decade since records reopened.  Even an opponent like the Oregonian had to admit that giving adoptees back their right to their own birth records has been non-problematic.

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stor...

This is the report that the Oregonian article references:

http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/researc...