Sometimes people confuse facts and opinions in adoption. There are certain absolute truths in adoption. However, there are also many differing opinions about various issues. Knowing the difference between the two is important when discussing adoption.
Separating fact from opinion can often be complicated, and not that easy to do. For instance, whether adoption is a positive or negative experience is a matter of opinion. Adoption serves some people well. Others, it may adversely affect their lives forever and contain no seemingly positive aspects.
Some people believe that growing up as an adopted child is identical to growing up as a biological child. Others believe that certain problems are inherent in growing up as an adult person. There are conflicting studies which support both theories. However, there is no universal truth.
Another example of facts vs. opinions issue is which type of adoption is best – open or closed. Although there is some corroborating evidence to support each option, which type of adoption serves children and their parents the best is subjective, a matter of opinion. What people deciding on which type of adoption must do is weigh their choices and base their decision on the best available information.
Many people confuse facts and opinions in adoption and are thoroughly convinced that their opinions are indeed proven facts. However, in adoption, so much is subjective, and is hard to prove. Another complicating factor is that “one size fits all,†does not always work in adoption. However, there is also a trend in adoption to want to eliminate all rules and allow too much latitude. Some hard fast rules and guidelines do need to be firm with few, if any exceptions allowed.
There is a great deal of heated argument at times trying to determine which rules make sense, and which do not. Like anything else in life, there is a delicate balance that works best. Although there needs to be some room for different situations, certain practices should never occur. But, that is a whole other post, right?
