4 Adoption Misconceptions About Colorado Birth Fathers
By Alex Reza
Perhaps you are aware of the misconceptions about birth mothers in the adoption process, but did you know there are also misconceptions about birth fathers? For example, some may assume that the birth father is not as important as the birth mother. That he doesn’t care or want to stay in contact with his child. While these assumptions can be true, it is not always the case. Understanding the birth father’s role in the adoption plan can help you navigate the complex legal issues about adoption. Adoption Choices of Colorado is a licensed, private, non-profit adoption agency; we are here to inform you and clear up the misconceptions surrounding the role of birth fathers.
1. Compared to the birth mother, the birth father is not as important.
The idea that the birth father is not as important as you are is false. Although you have more authority over the decisions regarding the adoption plan, the birth father is still significant and has a role to play. Generally, a recognized biological father has more rights than the “putative father,” where paternity has not yet been legally established. In essence, the biological father gets the same rights as you. Colorado laws are designed to protect your rights and the birth father’s rights.
Even though unmarried men in Colorado do not have the same rights as you have, there are actions they can take to establish their rights. Colorado adoption requires consent from both birth parents. Placing your baby for adoption without the birth father’s consent will mean that you are going to have to go through the Colorado legal system.
Our private adoption agency in Colorado is here to answer the legal questions you may have pertaining to either your adoption rights or the birth father’s adoption rights.
2. Birth fathers are not involved in the adoption process.
Although there are uninvolved birth fathers, there are still a decent number of birth fathers who are not just involved but committed to the adoption process. The biological father of your child may have a great desire to participate in the adoption. Though he may be unaware of what role he should play. Adoption Choices of Colorado can help him understand that his participation is very important. A great way for the birth father to be more involved is by working with you to create an adoption plan.
If the birth father helps you create this plan, then not only can he help you select the adoptive family, but the process can be easier and run more smoothly. In addition, the birth father can be a great partner in this process, offering support and ensuring that both you and the baby are happy and healthy.
3. Birth fathers do not stay in contact with their child.
Another common misconception is that birth fathers in Colorado do not maintain a relationship with their child. However, this is only true if you both choose a closed adoption. If you pursue an open adoption, you and the birth father can be involved in the child’s life after the adoption; for example, you and he may decide to visit with your son or daughter from time to time. In addition, if you complete a semi-open adoption, you and the birth father can receive photos and letters from the adoptive family.
4. Birth fathers do not need the same support as adoptive mothers.
Deciding on adoption is an emotional process, not only for you but for the birth father as well. It is a common misconception that birth fathers do not need therapy or emotional support. The idea that therapy and support groups are only for you and the adoptive parents is false. The biological father may have difficulty going through the adoption process. After you place a baby up for adoption, you may feel emotions such as grief, but know that the birth father may also have these same feelings.
Some birth fathers feel it is a sign of weakness to seek emotional support. However, in many cases, biological fathers that seek emotional support feel better about the adoption of their child. Adoption Choices of Colorado can provide therapy and other services to you and the birth father to help you get past these feelings and help you both feel the joy of knowing that your child is safe and happy.
The truth about birth fathers in Colorado
The misconceptions surrounding birth fathers do not accurately represent their role in the process, and it is important that you understand the truth instead of relying on false ideas. Additionally, it is important for you and the birth father to understand your rights and to have an adoption plan.
This will ensure that the adoption process is done according to Colorado law. If you are a woman looking to navigate an adoption with (or without) your birth father’s involvement, then Private adoption Colorado is here to help you. Please click on this clink, and an adoption professional will help answer your questions and concerns: CO Adoption.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!