Society in general, and adoptive parents as well, are less dismissive of birth parents now than they were in the past. Many adoptive parent bloggers speak kindly of their children's birth parents and realize that it is healthy for their children to have relationships with birth family whenever possible. Some adoptive parents make great efforts to include birth families in the life of their child. To see those efforts always pleases me.

It has taken years for people to understand the value of a birth mother in a child's life. We are not yet there with birth fathers. Much too often, we do not emphasize how valuable a birth father can be in his child's life. However, blogger Deb did write a recent post which featured a great photo of her son and his birthdad. I was pleased to know that her son's birth dad has some contact.

Open adoptions alleviate some of the issues that children raised in closed adoptions sometimes experience. Knowing that both sets of parents care about you has to feel good for a child. Birth dads can contribute to their children, and I hope that eventually we will encourage them to do so.

Even in non-adoption scenarios, the importance of fathers are not always recognized enough. However, birth dads are ignored even more than traditional dads sometimes may be. Nearly everyone has something positive that they can share with their child. Birth dads can contribute to helping their children build a healthy sense of self by showing that they care about them.

Even in reunion, birth dads can be included. They can and should be included when possible. I believe fiercely that children benefit from having as many people as possible loving and caring about them. As adoption continues to evolve, I imagine that we will include birth dads in the equation more often.