Adoption is not without its problems and complications, and its issues are lifelong. Our more sophisticated understanding of adoption theory comes at a time when adoptions themselves are becoming both more complex and disparate. Many couples now turn to international or transracial adoption due to the shortage of available Caucasian infants.
Agencies strive aggressively to place special-needs children.
The practice of open adoption, in all its variant forms, continues to gain ground. Adoption theory must encompass families in situations as diverse as traditional, closed, same-race infant placements and single mothers or fathers parenting biracial children adopted at varying ages in both closed and open arrangements. Although adoptive parents are inclined to seek professional help when there are problems, they are also wary. They are sensitive to any responses that suggest disqualification of them as a family. The inherent vulnerability of the parent-child bond in adoptive families dictates that therapeutic approaches must address both children and parents and not isolate one from the other.