Special topics in international adoption

As international adoption has become more "mainstream," the issues recently addressed in domestic adoption have become more important in adoptions involving children originating in other countries. Certain groups of prospective adoptive parents, such as gay or lesbian couples, single parents, and parents with disabilities, have begun to apply to adopt in ever increasing numbers. Children who may have been considered unadoptable in the past are now routinely being offered to prospective adoptive parents. The numbers and ages of the children placed and the spacing between adoptions have come under scrutiny. The rates of adoption dissolutions and disruptions are being examined carefully by the receiving and sending countries. Research on the difficulties in these special circumstances and the outcome for the children involved is in the most preliminary stages. Currently, many of the kinds of situations described here are considered "experimental programs." The laws and policies of the sending countries explicitly prohibit some, and some are issues for tile parents and professionals caring for children after adoption. This article attempts to summarize what information is already known and outlines areas in which research is desperately needed.