Final answer:
The arrangement where adopted children and their adoptive families maintain a relationship with the birth family is known as a 'open adoption'. This approach is increasingly common and is significant for the identity and relationships of those involved. It reflects broader changes in the understanding and composition of family structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
In recent years, the arrangement in which adopted children and their adoptive families maintain communication with the children's birth family is known as a open adoption. This form of adoption allows all parties involved, including birth parents, adoptive parents, and the adopted children, to have varying levels of contact, which can range from the exchange of letters and emails to face-to-face visits. Open adoption can be important to all the individuals involved, as it allows for continued relationships and has a significant impact on the child's sense of identity and their understanding of their personal history.
Historically, family structures and methods of child-rearing have been diverse, including extended family living arrangements, informal adoption, and foster care. The changing landscape of family dynamics in the United States reflects greater acceptance and support for different forms of family, including those formed through adoption. The increase in open adoptions is part of a broader trend acknowledging that the definition of 'family' and 'parent' is evolving to incorporate a variety of relationships that are based not solely on biological ties, but on emotional bonds and caregiving responsibilities.