The Politics of Adoption

This book explains, compares and evaluates the social and legal functions of adoption within a range of selected jurisdictions and on an international basis. It updates and extends the second edition published by Springer in 2009. From a standpoint of the development of adoption in England & Wales and the changes currently taking place there, it considers the process as it has evolved in other countries. It identifies themes of commonality and difference in the experience of adoption in a common law context as compared and contrasted with that of other countries. It looks at adoption in France, Sweden and other civil law countries, as well as Japan and elsewhere in Asia, including a focus on Islamic adoption. It examines the experience of indigenous people in New Zealand and Australia, contrasting the highly regulated legal process of modern western society with the traditional practice of indigenous communities such as the Maori. A new chapter studies adoption in China. The book uses the international Conventions and associated ECtHR case law to benchmark developments in national law, policy and practice and to facilitate a cross-cultural comparative analysis.

• Adoption Practice in an Indigenous Peoples Context
• Adoption Process in Australia
• Adoption Process in China
• Adoption Process in England & Wales
• Adoption Process in France
• Adoption Process in Ireland
• Adoption Process in Islam
• Adoption Process in Japan
• Adoption Process in Sweden
• Adoption Process in the US
• Adoption, Conventions and the Impact of the ECtHR
• Adoption, Society and the Law
• Benchmarks for Modern Adoption Law
• European Court of Human Rights
• Intercountry Adoption and the Hague Convention
• Intraculture Adoption
• Legal Functions of Adoption

“This book will definitely be of interest to those adoption professionals from within the disciplines of law, politics, and social work. … It is also an insightful historical account of adoption policies, laws, international conventions, and local practices from around the world. … O’Halloran’s third edition of The Politics of Adoption is a literary mosaic of essential adoption-related discussion that belongs on the bookshelves of every adoption researcher—no matter the research or professional discipline.” (Rhoda Scherman and Ashleigh Prakash, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 61 (20), May, 2016)

• Queensland University of Technology, Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

  Kerry O'Halloran

Policies and ethics