Over the past year or so, many of us have written about flaws that we see in our present system of adoption. We have thrown around some suggestions about how to change the system. However, I would like to really concentrate more on solutions for the real problems that trouble us.

There are few who delve into adoption in any depth who are unaware that adoption in America is far from perfect. In fact, many of us believe that there is alot wrong with adoption. As triad members, we have the power to change adoption. We cannot change all that we feel needs changing overnight, but we can begin.

For the next few posts, I hope to write about some of the ways that our adoption.com bloggers already are working towards change. Deb, for instance, recently mentioned that she is working towards open records in her own state. How many others have active open records movements in your states? Do you know if your state is working on open records' legislation?

My own state of California has tried several times to pass open records legislation, but thus far has failed. I hope to see the records open during my lifetime, and I look forward to testifying before the legislature the next time legislation is introduced.

In the meantime, I will continue to write about why I think open records are needed. When asked to support others in their states, I will continue to help as I can. One of the most crucial points for birth mothers to educate the public about is to let them know we do not fear open records.

In fact, most birth parents that I know wholeheartedly support open records. Despite claims that birth mothers were promised anonymity from their own children, we need to hit home the absurdity of such views. No one seems able to find any relinquishment papers that promise secrecy, is it because there are none?

Lies and secrecy were imposed on most of us as birth parents; we had little or no options. There was no choice for most of us to have any knowledge of or contact with our children. That does not mean that most of us wanted it that way. We did not want our children to never know us, and we must let the world know!


Further Reading:

Birth Mothers Needs for Privacy? Again?

What are Open Records Really About?

The Camel's Straw and the Back of the Bus - Part 1

The Camel's Straw and the Back of the Bus - Part 2

Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate Before Finalization.


Photo by Jan Baker 2007