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When Your Child Wants to Search for Birth Relatives
The desire to search for birth relatives is a normal part of the identity formation process for adopted people. There are many reasons why adopted people choose to search. Some common reasons include the desire for general birth family information like names of birth parents, where they live, and what they are like; information about birth family traits and personalities; information about the circumstances surrounding the adoption; and the need for medical history information. This section provides information for adoptive parents on why adopted people search, how to support adopted people who are searching, how to start a search, and suggestions for talking to adopted children about birth families.
The Adopted Person Search: Looking for the Missing Piece (PDF - 73 KB)
Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc. (2000)
Provides guidance for the parents of children who are searching for birth relatives.
The Experience of Adoptive Parents in Adoption Reunion Relationships: A Qualitative Study
Petta & Steed
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 75, 2005
View Abstract
Examines the issues experienced by adoptive parents when faced with an adult child's searching or reunion relationship with his or her birth family, how adoptive parents place themselves within this process, and the factors that influence their experience at this time.
Searching for a Past: Why Adopted Children Seek Their Roots and How Parents Can Respond
Schooler & Atwood (2008)
In The Whole Life Adoption Book: Realistic Advice for Building a Healthy Adoptive Family
View Abstract
Discusses reasons why adopted people search for their birth parents, possible outcomes as a result of the search, and strategies that parents can use to respond to the need to search.
Searching for Birth Families
Howard (2009)
Includes information for adoptive parents on how to start a search and offers tips on how to talk to adopted children about birth families.
Searching for Birth Relatives | |
Series Title: | Factsheets for Families |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 445KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2011 - 18 pages |
Provides guidance to adopted persons and birth families on the search process and information access, as well as resources for further help in conducting a successful search. This factsheet is designed to address the concerns of both adopted persons who are searching for birth parents or other birth relatives, as well as birth parents (both mothers and fathers) who want to locate a child who was adopted. While not a complete "how to" guide to searching, this factsheet provides information on the decision to search, steps in the search process, hiring a professional searcher, international searching, using social media to ... |
Searching for Birth Families Internationally
Adoptive Families Magazine
Provides articles and resources for adoptive parents considering searching for their child's birth relatives in another country.