The dilemma of adoption reunion: Establishing open communication between adoptees and their birth mothers

This article describes the contact relationship of six female adoptee-birth mother pairs. During in-depth interviews, these women revealed three issues affecting contact with their birth relative: (1) uncertain contact identity, (2) fear of rejection, and (3) a sense of dissatisfaction with contact outcome. These issues were intensified by the difficulty each woman experienced expressing her own contact needs. Suggestions are made for practitioners who may help negotiate more open contact procedures.