Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-78). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2005. / Title from PDF title page screen. Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-105).

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-50).

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Birth mothers of open adoption are not well studied. This inquiry explored birth mothers’ experiences surrounding unintended pregnancy and infant open adoption placement. The focused objective was to describe adolescent birth mothers’ lives following pregnancy and adoption placement. This qualitative study used naturalistic inquiry, with participants giving 1 to 2 hour tape recorded telephone interviews. Verbatim transcripts were de-identified and systematically analyzed. Birth mother samples were at either 1 to 5 years or 5 to 15 years after infant open adoption placement. Overall both samples chronicled stories from preconception through current life. Birth mothers of both samples were unanimous in their support of open adoption. The sample of 10 birth mothers who were interviewed 1 to 5 years postplacement shared life descriptions from prepregnancy; pregnancy with the decision for open adoption placement and choice of adoptive family; birth in context with the adoptive parents and birth child; postpartum and discharge. Postplacing birth mother findings were presented using the acronym AFRESH: A–adoption accomplishments; F–fresh start; R–relationships; E–emotions; S–support; H–healing. Personal, social, and relational benefits of open adoption far outweighed pregnancy, birth, and emotional challenges. Even though the process and outcome were “hard,” and included personal obstacles, the open adoption placement was “best.” Birth children were viewed as thriving, blossoming, and having a wonderful life. Adoptive families were cherished like those of extended family. Birth mothers thought health care providers should share the option, and then provide adoption friendly care. They also would advise pregnant teens to choose open adoption. Results from the 5 to 15 years postplacement sample of 5 birth mothers yielded themes of (1) satisfaction about decision for open adoption, choice of adoptive couple, and seeing a thriving birth child; (2) personal milestone accomplishments in education, finances, work, life, and relationships; (3) a sustaining sense of being a better person with an improved life; and (4) the essential need for support during and after the process.

Este trabalho tem como foco discutir a atual cultura da adoção. O eixo escolhido gira em torno dos conceitos de identidade, família e cultura. O estudo das várias modalidades de adoção ressaltou a importância de se reconhecer a existência de profundas diferenças culturais e econômicas entre as duas famílias, biológica e adotiva, participantes do processo. Este reconhecimento passa pela inclusão da família doadora, desde o início do processo de adoção, caminhando no sentido de uma adoção aberta, onde o contato e as trocas entre as duas famílias estejam, cada vez mais e verdadeiramente, a serviço dos interesses da criança. Este estudo evidenciou também a intrincada relação entre abandono e adoção no Brasil, apontando para as inúmeras frentes de pesquisa que podem surgir a partir daí, no sentido de se entender melhor o problema, em busca de possíveis soluções. / The objective of this work is to discuss the current adoption culture. The axle selected turns around the concepts of identity, family and culture. The study of the several adoption modalities emphasized the importance of knowing the existence of deep cultural and economical differences between both families the biological and the adoptive families, participants of the process. This acknowledgment passes by the inclusion of the donating family from the very beginning of the adoption process, heading for an open adoption, where the contact and the exchanges between both families are progressively and truly for childs interest. This study also evidenced the complex relation between abandonment and adoption in Brazil, pointing out to several research fronts that may appear therefrom, so as to better understand the problem looking for possible solutions.

Este trabalho tem como foco discutir a atual cultura da adoção. O eixo escolhido gira em torno dos conceitos de identidade, família e cultura. O estudo das várias modalidades de adoção ressaltou a importância de se reconhecer a existência de profundas diferenças culturais e econômicas entre as duas famílias, biológica e adotiva, participantes do processo. Este reconhecimento passa pela inclusão da família doadora, desde o início do processo de adoção, caminhando no sentido de uma adoção aberta, onde o contato e as trocas entre as duas famílias estejam, cada vez mais e verdadeiramente, a serviço dos interesses da criança. Este estudo evidenciou também a intrincada relação entre abandono e adoção no Brasil, apontando para as inúmeras frentes de pesquisa que podem surgir a partir daí, no sentido de se entender melhor o problema, em busca de possíveis soluções. / The objective of this work is to discuss the current adoption culture. The axle selected turns around the concepts of identity, family and culture. The study of the several adoption modalities emphasized the importance of knowing the existence of deep cultural and economical differences between both families the biological and the adoptive families, participants of the process. This acknowledgment passes by the inclusion of the donating family from the very beginning of the adoption process, heading for an open adoption, where the contact and the exchanges between both families are progressively and truly for childs interest. This study also evidenced the complex relation between abandonment and adoption in Brazil, pointing out to several research fronts that may appear therefrom, so as to better understand the problem looking for possible solutions.

95% of adoption in the United States are open adoptions (Siegel & Smith, 2012). Past research has focused on the satisfaction of the adoptive parents, birth mother and adoptee in open adoption (Colaner & Scharp, 2016). However, there is a gap in research considering communication within the open adoption relationship (Grotevant, 2009). This qualitative phenomenological study sought to understand the experiences of birth mothers and adoptive parents in open adoption relationships as well as determine what is helpful and/or harmful within this relationship. The researchers conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with birth mothers and adoptive parents. Through open coding, key findings included a commonality of strong emotions and a consistent emphasis on the adoptee, as well as the benefit of healthy communication, boundaries and a relationship pre-placement. Based on the findings and limitations of this study recommendations were made for professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents and future research.

Children who are in foster care or who have been adopted often face uncommon challenges, as do their families and providers. Child and adolescent psychiatrists have a unique role in aiding these children and their adult caretakers. Foster care has long been a source of public policy debate over the role of child welfare agencies in determining when to remove a child, and more recently over the costs of placements and additional services that these children often need. Current controversies concern gay and lesbian foster care, custody relinquishment, multiple placements, and health-care delivery while in foster care. We focus initially on entry into foster care and the implications for the child, particularly the impact on their health and development. Other factors considered include care coordination, or lack of, multiple placements, and grandparent/kinship care. Issues surrounding adoption are explored, including "closed" and "open" adoptions, race, and age. We emphasize recent research on gay and lesbian biological families, and the finding that they are just as capable at raising children as heterosexual parents at adoption. Also highlighted is the choice between custody and care that faces many parents of severely mentally ill children. Finally we look at the special concerns relating to international adoption. Case vignettes are presented to highlight the practical aspects of fostering and adoption.

本研究採用質性深度訪談方法探討開放收養家庭經驗，分析收養家庭與出養家庭互動的過程與感受，並彙整成功開放收養的因素，探討開放收養家庭之需求。透過本研究希望瞭解：第一，本土開放收養家庭的經驗，瞭解收養家庭與出養家庭接觸的過程及感受；第二，歸納成功開放收養的因素，提出對收養服務之具體建議；第三，彙整開放收養家庭需求，提供未來收養服務及實務工作相關參考。本研究與兒童福利聯盟收出養組合作，選取符合開放收養定義之收養人參與研究，並將研究結果形成建議，提供收出養實務工作及潛在收養人參考。 依據研究目的，研究者邀請北部地區八個開放收養家庭（共計十位收養人）進行一對一的深度訪談，研究結果如下列幾點： 一、「開放收養」對收出養三方皆有正面影響，有助於創造收出養雙方家庭正向的互動經驗，提升養父母對出養家庭的同理心、促使生父母對出養決定放心，並讓被收養者清楚知道自己並未被遺棄，建立對身世的正面記憶。 二、收養人開放收養的動機包括下述五項：讓孩子知道自己是被愛的、對原生家庭有同理心、視為孩子應得的機會、認為孩子有需要、及期待更了解孩子。 三、在開放收養接觸經驗方面，收養人對開放見面展現高度接納、包容、同理及瞭解，肯定開放收養之優勢與結果。 四、影響成功開放收養的因素可歸納如下述：（一）「內部動力因素」：養父母支持開放的信念、尊重孩子的意願、孩子不是私有財的觀念、同理出養家庭的不捨、期望讓出養家庭放心、對出養家庭印象良好以及養父母之間溝通良好，呈現養父母以兒童最佳利益優先和尊重出養方的理念，促成開放結果順利產生；（二）「外部增強因素」：正向的家庭互動經驗、出養家庭提供支持，以及獲得專業機構支持三項，顯示專業機構與出養家庭對開放的正面態度有助於促使收出養雙方順利見面，且專業機構在收出養流程及後續追蹤期間，持續提供專業建議及諮詢，並擔任收出養聯繫的中介角色，有助於維持開放的穩定。 五、開放收養家庭的需求主要可分為四項：「機構提供輔助性支援」、「同質性養父母支持團體」、「被收養童專業處遇」、「養父母成長課程」。 六、透過機構收養的家庭普遍滿意機構的安排，對於機構提供之收養準備課程、開放聯繫協助、專業諮詢與建議表示肯定，認為機構支持有助於增加開放收養的意願與安全感。 關鍵字：開放收養、兒童福利服務、收養服務 / This research intends to investigate the open adoption experience in Taiwan through qualitative research method and in-depth interviews. In addition, we analyze the interaction and feelings between the biological and adoptive families, classify the factors behind successful open adoption cases as well as organize the needs of open adoption families. This research is conducted in cooperation with the Adoption Service Section of the Child Welfare League Foundation and invited those who conform to the definition of “open adoption family” to participate in the research. We provide some suggestions based on the research result for future adoptive families and those who engage in adoption services and practices. According to the research purpose, we invited eight open adoption families from Northern Taiwan to participate in this research and achieved the following results: 1. The “open adoption” method produces positive effects for both the birth family and the adoptive family. It helps create a positive and interactive experience between both families, increase the empathy of the adopting parents with the biological parents, and hence ease the worries about adoption for the birth family. Meanwhile, the adoptee would understand that they are not abandoned and thus develop a positive memory about their relationship with their biological parents. 2. The adoptive family accepts the open adoption method for the following five motives: let the adoptee know they are loved, show empathy with the birth family, regard this as deserved for the child, believe it is needed by the child, and hope to understand more about the child. 3. Regarding the open adoption experience, the adoptive family show high level of acceptance, tolerance, empathy and understanding, recognizing the benefit and result of open adoption method. 4. The success of the open adoption practice can be determined by the following two categories of factors. First, the “internal motivation” factors: adoptive parents support the open adoption method, respect the wish of the adoptee, agree that children are not private properties, empathize with the birth family’s sorrow, expect to ease the worry of the biological parents, have a good impression about the birth family, communicate well between each other, prioritize the best interest of the child, and respect the birth family. With these internal motivation factors, the success of open adoption can be achieved. Second, the “external reinforcement” factors: having positive family interaction experiences, gaining support from both the birth family and the adoption agency. These external reinforcement factors show that the supportive attitude of both the adoption agency and the birth family makes possible a meeting between the birth family and the adoptive one. Moreover, the stabilization of open adoption can be reached, if, during the adoption processes and the follow-up period, the adoption agency can continuously provide professional suggestions and consultation as well as be a bridge between both families. 5. The open adoption family generally requires the following supports: agency provided assistance, support group of similar adoptive families, professional intervention for the adoptee, adoptive parents training. 6. Those who adopt children through adoption agencies are generally satisfied with the arrangement of the agency, and recognize the provided preparation lessons, assistance as well as professional consultations and suggestions. The adoptive families believe that the agency provided support helps increase the willingness and confidence to accept the open adoption method. Keywords: open adoption, children welfare service, adoption service

In Brazil, more than 80 000 children live into foster care, but only 10% of this total are available for adoption - the others are awaiting if their status: return to parents, adoption or continued foster care. Children removed from the biological family that have more than three years old, are black, male, or have special needs are not desired by those who wish to adopt. In 2009, was enacted the Law of Adoption Law n. 12.010/09, which is proposed to bring effectiveness to the right to family of institutionalized children and adolescents. After the movement of the new constitutionalism into the civil law, it is important verify if the current model of adoption has compatibility with the current paradigm of positive law in Brazil, especially in the legal recognition of affection and care for the protection of fundamental rights. Also, this study proposes to investigate how the state can or should interfere with regard to adoptions of children and adolescents, considering the different types of adoption admitted in Brazil and in other countries. From this perspective the questions are: how to make Brazilian s adoption model appropriate to new constitutionalism? The adoption, after the enactment of Law 12.010/09, attends the fundamental rights printed in the Federal Constitution and other laws? The right of familiar living and other principles and rights are being protected by law operators? To find the answers, this work elected to theoretical research, with compiling and review of bibliography on the themes proposed. Also, was adopted the documentary research, with analysis of relevant legislation, jurisprudence, foreign law, and statistical analysis. It is expected, with the study of the theme proposed, bring proposals for improving the posture of the law operator facing the issues of child adoption. Finally, it is expected that this research encourage public policies that promote the effective access of the child and adolescent's rights. / No Brasil, mais de 80 mil crianças estão acolhidas em instituições, mas apenas 10% desse total estão totalmente aptas à adoção as demais aguardam a finalização dos processos de destituição do poder familiar. Crianças retiradas da família biológica que possuam mais de três anos de idade, negras, do sexo masculino, ou portadoras de necessidades especiais não são desejadas por aqueles que pretendem adotar, crescendo e se desenvolvendo em situação de abrigamento. Em 2009, entrou em vigor a chamada Lei de Adoção Lei n. 12.010/09, a qual se propôs trazer efetividade ao direito à convivência familiar de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados. Após o movimento de constitucionalização do direito civil, cumpre verificar se o atual modelo de adoção vigente no país está em conformidade com os atuais paradigmas do direito positivo brasileiro, sobretudo no reconhecimento do valor jurídico do afeto e do cuidado pela tutela dos direitos fundamentais. Destarte, este estudo propõe-se a investigar de que forma o Estado pode ou deve interferir no tocante às adoções de crianças e adolescentes, em razão das modalidades de adoção existentes e aquelas admitidas pela legislação brasileira. Nessa perspectiva questiona-se: como tornar a adoção adequada aos contornos do neoconstitucionalismo? A adoção, após a vigência da Lei 12.010/09, está em conformidade com os direitos fundamentais estampados na Constituição Federal e demais normas infraconstitucionais? O direito à convivência familiar e seus corolários estão sendo adequadamente tutelados pelos operadores do direito? Para cumprir o mister proposto neste trabalho, elegeu-se a pesquisa teórica, com compilação e revisão de material bibliográfico acerca dos temas propostos. Paralelamente, adotou-se a pesquisa documental, com análise da legislação pertinente, jurisprudência, direito estrangeiro e análise estatística. Espera-se, com o estudo do tema proposto, trazer propostas e embasamentos doutrinários para uma melhoria da postura do jurista frente à questão da adoção de crianças e adolescentes. Anseia-se, por fim, que essa pesquisa frutifique em políticas públicas que propiciem o efetivo acesso da criança e do adolescente aos direitos e garantias fundamentais de que são titulares. / Mestre em Direito Público