This theme issue deals with adoption. "Adoption in Canada: A Profile," provides statistics on public and private adoption, as well as demographic characteristics on adoption applicants and children placed for adoption. It also discusses current adoption legislation. "Abandoning Ownership: A Philosophical Approach to Adoption"…

Interviews were conducted with 591 Mexican Americans to determine adoption interest and create recruiting practices for prospective parents. Approximately one-third of sample reported an interest in adoption, but many perceived both structural and cultural obstacles to adoption. Based on findings, recommendations for increasing recruitment of…

This study sought to determine aspects of training provided to transracial adoptive parents by public and private U.S. adoption agencies. Responses to a survey of a random sample of public and private agencies indicated that about half of the agencies that facilitate transracial adoption provide relevant training. Findings pose implications for…

Explored the backgrounds and personal motives of 70 families who adopted Indian children in the late 1970s and 1980s. Focused on what kind of people seek to adopt children of another ethnic group and with a higher likelihood of chronic disabilities. Found strong resemblance to altruists and rescuers of Holocaust victims. (Author/DLH)

Maintains that transracial adoptions will not significantly reduce the number of African American children in the child welfare system. Asserts that recruitment of adoptive African American parents is hampered by child welfare practices and legislative initiatives. Argues that the transracial adoption debate diverts attention from the differential…

Notes that Steinberg and Hall's book examines challenges and possibilities of transracial adoption, asserting that the work is the choice for white parents thinking about becoming or already in a transracial-adopted family, and for professionals working with parents and/or children in such families. Suggests that the book's only weakness stems…

Explored the transracial adoption experiences of Caucasian parents adopting children from Korea, comparing mothers' and fathers' perceptions regarding reasons for adopting, family adjustment related to the adoption, and racial identity of adoptees. Found that mothers' and fathers' perceptions were more similar than different, and parents…

Assessed attitudes of U.S. social workers regarding transracial adoption (TRA), specifically black children being adopted by white parents. Found that white social workers were more in favor of TRA than black social workers. African American respondents who were members of the National Association of Black Social Workers had less favorable…

Social work students interviewed 29 adult foreign-born adoptees and 23 of their adoptive parents. Describes demographics of the participants, and summarizes and discusses their responses to questions about personal, family, and social adjustment. Students emphasized the importance of social workers' sensitivity and self-awareness when dealing with…

Families who adopt children internationally are faced with not only the acknowledgement of the adoption but also the recognition of the child's birth culture. Thirty-four families were surveyed to assess issues regarding the relevance, frequency, and means of acknowledgement of the adoption and of the birth culture. Findings suggest ways adoption…

Using qualitative approach, authors explored the experiences of becoming parents through adoption after unsuccessful infertility treatments. Analysis of data revealed three overarching themes. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for counselors who work with infertile couples considering adoption, clients engaged in adoption…

Discusses motivations behind establishment of National Voluntary Mutual Reunion Registry. Notes that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services facilitates voluntary and mutually requested reunion of 21-year-old adult adopted persons, adult siblings, and birth parents who have on their own initiative indicated desire to make contact.…

Examined adjustment of families who had adopted children with disabilities. Compared 34 families who had adopted a child transracially with 63 families who had adopted a same-race child and 13 families who had adopted both transracially and inracially. Found few differences in family functioning between transracial and inracial adoptive parents.…

Explores interview excerpts of African-American adults adopted either transracially or interracially to discuss implications of color for special-needs adoptions. Finds that the issue of color extends beyond racial differences to include skin tone and that children are aware of and internalize color at an early age. Suggests that adoption agencies…

Notes that Crumble's book assists professionals in preparing families who adopt transracially and highlights the importance of understanding one's racial and cultural identity. Describes three areas of focus: complex issues involved in raising cultural issues, providing services to families, and staff attitudes and views. Highly recommends the…