Open Adoption: A Growing Trend in the United States Over the past four decades, the concept of the American family has undergone a radical transformation, reflecting society's growing openness. Among all segments of society, there is greater acceptance of a variety of family structures, from single parenthood to blended families to same-sex parenting of children. Introducing openness into the adoption process offers new opportunities to children in need of one or more parents and to future parents who wish to create or expand their family. Meeting the requirements to become eligible for adoption no longer means being bound by the conventions of a previous generation. As defined in Children of Open Adoption by Kathleen Silber and Patricia Martinez Dorner (Silber and Dorner, p. 9): Open adoption includes birth parents and adoptive parents meeting, sharing complete identifying information, and having access to ongoing contact over the course of years. . . In open adoption, the family of origin is an extended family, like other relatives within the adoptive family. Current statistics show that open adoptions are on the rise in the United States. Despite the challenges and emotional issues associated with open adoption, its incidence is growing and provides a means for families to share their lives in different ways and allow adopted children to feel positive about themselves and adoption. Statistics Statistics show that the adoption rate has grown since 1900. In 1944, approximately 50,000 adoptions took place in the United States. The highest known number of adoptions occurred in 1970, when 175,000 children were adopted. There is currently only limited statistical information on adoptions in the United States. (Child Welfare Information, para. 2) The most comprehensive statistics were collected by the National Center for Social Statistics (NCSS) from 1957 to 1975. Most new statistical information on adoption is collected and analyzed by private organizations , through private surveys and research. (National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, http://statistics.adoption.com/information/adoption-statistics-overview.html) The states with the highest number of adoptions were states with larger populations, with California, New York, and Texas generally in head nation. In 2000, approximately 9,054 adoptions took place in the state of California alone. (Child Welfare Information par. 1) In 2001, New York had the highest number of adoptions with 10,209 cases. In 69% of adoptions carried out by public and private bodies, the natural parents had met the adoptive couple. (Berry, 1991) Societal attitudes toward adoption have made great progress since 1900, both in understanding the complexities of adoption and in accepting adoption as a positive path for children..