Subtitle
Implications for Practice / Discussion
Document Type
Article
Department (Manual Entry)
School of Social Work
Abstract
Total secrecy and confidentiality no longer typify adoption in the United States. Today, most adoptions involve an exchange of information or some form of contact between the birth family and adoptive family - so-called open adoptions. This article provides a comprehensive overview of ethical issues associated with various forms of open adoption, including issues of privacy, confidentiality, self-determination, paternalism, conflicts of interest, deception, and truthtelling.We present guidelines for social work practice in open adoptions, based on current ethical theory and ethical standards in social work.
Citation
Reamer, F., & Siegel, D. (2007). Ethical issues in open adoption: Implications for practice. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 88(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.3587
Included in
Bioethics and Medical Ethics Commons, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Commons, Social Work Commons