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May/June 2001Vol. 2, No. 3The Impact of Adoption on Members of the Triad

Adoption and Ethics Series, Volume 3. Freundlich, M.; Lieberthal, J. K. Child Welfare League of America, Inc., Washington, DC. 2001. 115 pp. $18.95. Paperback.

Adoption affects each member of the triad—adoptee, birth parents, and adoptive parents—in many different ways. The adoptee may experience problems with adjustment and well-being, and have difficulties in the development of personal identity. Adoption practice and law affects the integrity and well-being of birth parents. The adoptive parents also face special challenges. The authors assess the extent to which current policy and practice meet the needs of those whom adoption is designed to serve, and raise questions about the ethical obligations of adoption professionals. They explore the psychological, social, and cultural aspects, as well as the positive and negative effects of adoption on all members of the triad. Topics include:

  • The historical context of adoption in the United States
  • Access to information and search and reunion
  • International adoption
  • The social study and legal processes involved in being approved as an adoptive parent

Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute designed the adoption and ethics series to provide an overview of the current knowledge base on key adoption policy and practice issues.

To purchase a copy, contact:

Child Welfare League of America, Inc.
PO Box 2019
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-2019
Phone: 800-407-6273 or 301-617-7825
Fax: 301-206-9789
Email: cwla@pmds.com
Website: http://www.cwla.org/pubs