API tools faq
paste
gho_research

Florida, unseal birth certificates, change perceptions on ad

gho_research
Jul 5th, 2018
135
0
Never
Add comment
Not a member of Pastebin yet? Sign Up, it unlocks many cool features!
text 4.29 KB | None | 0 0
raw download clone embed print report
  1.  
  2.  
  3. Sun Sentinel
  4.  
  5. Secret Supper: Satisfy your taste for the unexpected. Save $20. Reserve your seat now
  6.  
  7.  
  8.  
  9.  
  10.  
  11.  
  12.  
  13. ADVERTISEMENT
  14.  
  15.  
  16.  
  17. Opinion / Viewpoints
  18.  
  19.  
  20.  
  21. Florida, unseal birth certificates, change perceptions on adoption | Opinion
  22.  
  23.  
  24.  
  25.  
  26.  
  27.  
  28. Adam and Jaimi Gruler adopt three children on National Adoption Day
  29.  
  30.  
  31.  
  32.  
  33.  
  34.  
  35.  
  36. Orlando Police officer Adam Gruler and his wife, Jaimi, are marking National Adoption Day by adding three more children to their blended family of six.
  37.  
  38.  
  39.  
  40. By Richard Stark
  41.  
  42.  
  43. Get the Sun Sentinel Splash newsletter, a weekday roundup of insightful commentary from around Florida
  44.  
  45.  
  46. Privacy Policy
  47. November 30, 2017, 5:00 PM
  48.  
  49.  
  50.  
  51. As National Adoption Awareness Month ends, there are many issues that the public needs to be made aware of. Public perception is about babies being adopted into economically stable homes and away from biological circumstances of unwed mothers who have no chance to raise a child in an acceptable environment. The children are then given new identities, the birth or biological mother gets anonymity, the original birth certificate is sealed, and everyone moves on.
  52.  
  53. The reality is, however, that the adopted children often want to know their biological history and connect with the family, and that in today’s world of the internet, social media and DNA testing, there is no anonymity for anyone. We are now in the era of open adoptions.
  54.  
  55.  
  56. After I filed a bill to unseal birth certificates for adult adoptees — yes we grow up — opposition groups of lawyers who perform adoptions and some religious groups came forward saying that this would cause adoption rates to fall and abortion rates to rise. Basically pushing for a status quo that no longer exists. These perceptions are false.
  57.  
  58.  
  59. “The adoptees often want to know their roots, and a simple piece of paper is that one item that verifies their true existence.
  60.  
  61.  
  62.  
  63. The Florida Legislature has two bills filed this year to change the law so that adult adoptees can obtain a copy of their original birth certificate, something that has now become a reality in approximately 25 states. The bills are not without controversy, even in the adoptee community.
  64.  
  65.  
  66.  
  67.  
  68.  
  69. I am asking that the perceptions of adoption of babies be re-evaluated. Adoption of older foster children is also an issue, but not part of this discussion. During my past year and a half working on this issue, it has become apparent that the biological mothers in most cases want to know what happened to the children they did not raise, and allow them to know their medical histories. The adoptees often want to know their roots, and a simple piece of paper is that one item that verifies their true existence.
  70.  
  71. The opposition groups are often in the business of adoption and feel threatened, and this is unwarranted. Adoptive parents are uneasy too, as they may feel the child they raised will no longer have the loving relationship they thought they would continue to have. The reality is that if the child was raised in a loving home, that relationship will continue.
  72.  
  73. Most important, is that the process to the adoptee is perceived to be about everyone else but them. It is time to put the child who becomes the adult back into the equation. Many never do a search, and some that do find that there will be no relationship with the biological family for various reasons — some not so good. Even so, adoptees, like everyone else, deserve to have control over their lives, and one no longer shrouded with shame and secrecy.
  74.  
  75. State Rep. Richard Stark, D-Weston, represents Florida House District 104 in the Legislature.
  76.  
  77.  
  78. Suggested stories
  79. Tropical Storm Beryl forms in the Atlantic | Video
  80.  
  81. 3:00 PM
  82.  
  83.  
  84. Hyde5: Here's why a fast start looks scheduled for Dolphins
  85.  
  86. 7:50 AM
  87.  
  88.  
  89.  
  90.  
  91.  
  92.  
  93. See More
  94. Copyright © 2018, Sun Sentinel
  95. This article is related to: Florida Legislature
  96.  
  97.  
  98.  
  99.  
  100.  
  101. Be the first to comment
  102.  
  103.  
  104.  
  105.  
  106.  
  107.  
  108.  
  109. ADVERTISEMENT
  110.  
  111.  
  112. ADVERTISEMENT
  113.  
  114.  
  115. ADVERTISEMENT
  116.  
  117.  
  118. ADVERTISEMENT
  119.  
  120.  
  121.  
  122.  
  123.  
  124. ADVERTISEMENT
  125.  
  126.  
  127.  
  128.  
  129.  
  130. Log InSUBSCRIBE$2 for 20 weeks
  131.  
  132.  
  133.  
  134.  
  135.  
  136.  
  137.  
  138.  
  139.  
  140.  
  141.  
  142.  
  143.  
  144.  
  145.  
  146. SECTIONS
  147.  
  148.  
  149.  
  150.  
  151.  
  152.  
  153.  
  154. Thursday Jul. 5, 2018
  155. Trending
  156. Sports
  157. Opinion
  158. Events+Eats
  159. Today's Paper
  160. Classified
  161. Best Reviews
  162. Obituaries
  163.  
  164.  
  165. 85°
  166.  
  167.  
  168.  
  169.  
  170.  
  171.  
  172.  
  173.  
  174.  
  175.  
  176.  
  177. $2 FOR 20 WEEKS!
  178. Hurry, offer ends July 9SAVE NOW›
Advertisement
Add Comment
Please, Sign In to add comment
Public Pastes
We use cookies for various purposes including analytics. By continuing to use Pastebin, you agree to our use of cookies as described in the Cookies Policy.  OK, I Understand
Not a member of Pastebin yet?
Sign Up, it unlocks many cool features!