General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: N.J. woman refuses to meet daughter she gave up for adoption after being raped over 30 years ago [View all]Samurai_Writer
(2,934 posts)Actually, the opposite is true. This is making news because it is RARE that a birthmother doesn't want to be found. Today, 'open' adoptions are the norm, because agencies figured out that after Roe v. Wade (mostly in the 80s and after), they couldn't just force girls into closed adoptions. So they switched tactics, ensuring these 'open' adoptions that are not legally enforceable -- the adoptive parents can close them off at any time. Honestly, do you think closed adoption was invented because society was thinking of these poor, single, unwed mothers? No... it was invented because of the 'bad seed' theory... and the adoptive parents didn't want these 'tramps' having any access to the baby. Most young women weren't even allowed to see their own children after birth, BEFORE their parental rights were relinquished and the adoptive parents claimed the child.
The case of a child being conceived from rape AND given up for adoption is rather rare, especially in these times. The closed adoption laws were not written with rape victims in mind.
HOWEVER... I do believe that once the daughter had made first contact, and was rejected, she should have left the woman alone. The mother could provide medical history (which changes over time) through the adoption agency.