Opening Adoption in Chile: Perspectives on Post-Adoption Contact Among Chilean Adoptive Parents

The Chilean Adoption Law 21,760 (2025) introduces a legal framework for post-adoption contact, shifting away from traditionally closed adoption models. This mixed-methods study used an online national survey to explore Chilean adoptive parents’ perceptions and experiences regarding post-adoption contact ( n = 198). Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were applied. Three themes emerged from parents without contact experience: (a) deciding the logistics of contact, (b) considering the child, and (c) strengthening information and support. Among those with contact, two themes emerged: (a) prioritizing the child’s best interests and (b) following professional guidance. A central finding is the ambivalence among parents who endorsed child-centered values while deferring contact to adulthood, revealing tension between openness in principle and caution in practice. Findings underscore the need for preparation of adoptive families and specialized support within Chile’s evolving legal framework.