Yeah - I dunno where the US is with this right now, but here in Ontario "closed" adoption, where all records remain sealed and everything is anonymous forever, no longer exists. The only differences are in degrees of openness. So Bristol Palin had no choices even when it appeared that she did. It's a very sad novel.

I agree that Palin failed as a parent. Hell, I bet she would agree - though she doubtless sees her failure as her daughter's having sex before marriage, rather than in terms of the outcome.