The Politics of Adoption

About this book

The Politics of Adoption identifies and analyses the fundamental social and legal functions of adoption. It is a timely publication as across the world adoption law reform is now giving rise to contentious issues. The change process underway in England and Wales offers an opportunity and a perspective to explore areas of commonality and difference in the experience of other nations. It also provides a window through which to examine the presumption that within and between cultures there exists a common understanding of what is meant by adoption.

This book offers a comparative analysis of developments in the law, policy and practice of adoption in England and Wales, the US, Australia and Ireland. It explores the global phenomenon of intercountry adoption. The impact of the European Convention and other international legal instruments are assessed and the resulting implications for the future of adoption are considered. It suggests that the more ?open? experience of adoption in indigenous communities such as the Maori of New Zealand, the Aboriginal people of Australia and the Inuit of Canada challenges some of the basic assumptions underpinning adoption law in modern western nations.

The Politics of Adoption is the product of rigorous research, validated by academics in the countries concerned and is written in an accessible manner to appeal not only to academics and practitioners but also to the many whose lives have been touched by adoption.