A Study of Australian Intercountry Adoption: Choosing Applicants to Parent

Abstract

Australian families are changing and parenthood is increasingly being seen as an individual choice. One important arena for exercising such choice is adoption, which today takes place across national boundaries in the form of intercountry adoption. This is now the predominant type of adoption in Australia. In order to reach their goal of parenthood, individuals choosing intercountry adoption must undergo an education and assessment process. This paper presents the findings from research undertaken as part of a larger doctoral study, with prospective intercountry adoptive parents, intercountry adoptive parents, adoption professionals, and support group representatives living in Australia. Three groups were found to exist in relation to the intercountry adoption assessment process: embracers, acceptors, and pragmatists. Factors influencing each group are discussed and suggestions for strengthening the role and efficacy of education and assessment in the selection of Australian intercountry adoptive parents are recommended.

Keywords:

• Intercountry Adoption
• International Adoption
• Assessment
• Parenting
• Families
• Qualitative Research

Acknowledgements

This article is based on a paper presented at the 9^th Australian Adoption Conference, Sydney, Australia, in September, 2008. The author wishes to thank all participants who participated in the study. Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality. This research has been undertaken with assistance from the NSW Department of Community Services. However, the information and views contained in this study do not necessarily, or at all, reflect the views or information held by the NSW Government, the Minister for Community Services, or the Department.

Notes

¹Although fertility rates are currently experiencing a slight increase in countries like Australia and England, it is perhaps too early to determine whether there is a shift in the overall long-term trend.

²Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.