Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the adoption process is one that should not be entered into lightly and one that professionals should take great responsibility ethically in providing necessary services to the birth parents who are considering entering into an adoption proceeding. The inequity of adoption laws are historically noted in this work as well as the failure of the legal system in protecting the birth parent from suffering associated with denial of information as to her child's well being. It is the belief of the researcher that provisions for adult disclosure of birth parent information and identification should be inclusive in laws and regulations governing adoptions in order to protect the individual who has everything to lose, and specifically for protection of the birth parent.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Statement of Thesis
Literature Review
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The rights of the birthparents should be given the most weight in the adoption process as compared to the adoptive parents. While the adoptive parents have much to gain, the birthparents are those who have much to lose if the adoption process is not handled properly, ethically, according to prescribed laws, and responsively as to the psychological needs of the birthparents who are giving up their child for adoption. The intention of the birthparents who give up the child for adoption generally is one that is noble and is directly based upon a decision to allow the child the opportunity for a better life than the birthparent is able to provide. However, after the child has become an adult, the goal of adoption has been successfully concluded and there should be no reason whatsoever that the birthparent and child should be hidden from one another legally."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that there are approximately 120,000 adoptions in the United States each year, many of which are successfully completed. However, the writer points out that while substantial amounts succeed, nearly twenty percent disrupt before legalization can occur. The writer maintains that this is due, in part, to the high level of rights retained by the biologicalparents in adoption cases. This paper discusses the rights of biologicalparents and the court's reasoning for upholding these rights. The writer then looks at the consequences of such rights to adoptiveparents. This shows that while adoptiveparents do hold some right to their new child, the biologicalparents have far more rights during the adoption process, and even following birth.
From the Paper "The consequences for the adoptive parents can be devastating. In open adoption cases, where the adoptive parents have provided monetary support, physician care, and other necessities to the biological mother, a pre-birth consent is still not binding. This means the time, money, and effort exerted by the adoptive parents may be for nothing, clearly showing the biological mother's rights to be valued higher than those of the adoptive parents. Even in agency adoptions, the adoptive parents are forced to relinquish the child if the biological parent revokes consent, even if the child has already been placed within the home."
Abstract This paper explores the Kansas statutes related to adoption so as to comprehensively understand the legal procedures and the application of rules and regulations, which the State of Kansas applies to various situations. The paper contends that it is about time that the policy makers realize that the state government cannot serve the adoption clients nor can the certified agents of the adoption agency hope to provide superior services to their clients, unless they institute separate principles for service to each stakeholder of the adoption process - the birth parents, the adoptingparents and the adopted child.
Outline
Introduction
Review of Literature
Basic Statutes of Adoption in Kansas
Current Trends in the Kansas Adoption Procedures
Conclusion
From the Paper "The study of adoption is very important as it influences millions of lives in the United States, who are an element of the adoption process. For instance, the birth parents who put their children for adoption; the children who are adopted; and the parents who adopt children. It is also believed that adoption influences approximately 3% of Americans who initially think of adoption but later on decide against it. For instance, Allen P. Fisher (2003) writes, "Adoption is certainly a very common occurrence in the United States and in much of the world today. No official and complete counts of adoptions exist, but estimates are that about 4% of Americans are adopted; about half of these have been adopted by persons not related to them by birth ." Allen goes on to write, "A recent national survey of 1416 Americans found that nearly two thirds of the respondents (64%) had a personal experience with adoption, meaning that someone in their family or among their close friends had been adopted, had adopted a child, or had placed a child for adoption (Allen P. Fisher 2003)." "
Abstract This paper proposes a study to determine whether closed adoption, as opposed to open adoption, where the adoptiveparents and the birth family all work together in varying degrees to provide the child with the most optimal upbringing, is really better for the child. It examines previously published literature in the quest to find the answer and explores several child theories regarding the best interest of the child when it comes to having open or closed adoptions. The study concludes that open adoption is the best solution for the general well-being of the child.
From the Paper "The argument for open adoption is strong when one looks at the evidence and the research that has been done on the topic. Experts agree that one of the problems for adopted children and adults is the fact that they do not have any sense of who they are. In addition, who they are is supposed to be ignored and forgotten as they pretend this new family is the only family they have ever had(Smith, 2001).
?Kirschner also draws from the writings of B.J. Lifton, an adoptee who has generalized her own unhappiness with adoption."
Abstract This paper presents convincing arguments on the benefits of adoption, both for adoptiveparents and children. Those who may want to consider adoption include people who may be experiencing problems conceiving their own children or even those who already have children, yet want to expand their family. The author cites current trends in adoption, and cautions that adoption is not something prospective parents should undertake lightly. There are some significant legal obligations and responsibilities that go hand in hand with adoption.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Lack of Follow-Up in Adoptive Services.
Current Trends in Foster Care and Adoption.
Conclusion
From the Paper "While states have increasingly focused on changing law, policy, practice and agency culture to increase the number of adoptions across the country, there has been less emphasis on what happens to families after they adopt. The social and emotional wounds caused by abuse, neglect and frequent moves among foster homes are not healed by the issuance of an adoption decree. In this regard, one adoption service head reports that, "Adoption is not the cure for every problem a child has experienced. But we've acted like it is for a long time" (Christian, 2002, p. 31). In fact, child welfare agencies have traditionally regarded adoption as the end of their responsibilities to adoptive children and their new families alike, and this author notes that many American families have reported feeling abandoned by these social services once their adoption has been finalized. Many foster children are adopted by their foster parents, who often see a substantial reduction in the array of services and supports available to them (Christian, 2002). "
Abstract This paper discusses the procedures that adoptingparents need to go through before they are granted a child. It compares different laws applicable in certain states as well as special criteria and conditions which apply. It looks at adoption within a family due to the tragedy of abusive conditions and also examines the cost of private adoption.
From the Paper "Adopting a child is a major decision. A prospective single parent or couple or family may come to the decision of adopting a child through many different paths. For instance, they may have tried to have children and failed, or they may have some children of their own but they want to adopt an orphaned child from a poor socio-economic situation. Whatever the path to adoption, it is a process that is rife with legal requirements and obstacles And of course, once the child is adopted, the responsibilities are huge. But, in the end, the act of adopting a child is immensely satisfying and interviewed adopted parents always gush that the experience and the adoption of child was life-changing."
Tags: child, parent, adoption, welfare, america, state
Abstract This paper examines the influence of drama-therapy treatment on the change of roles among female adolescents who have adoptedparental-maternal roles as a result of their being daughters to mothers whose functioning was significantly deficient. The role theory by R. Landy represents a theoretical basis of the research work. It begins with a personal introduction that describes a journey for discovering the different faces of the mother figure as they were internalized, and then it surveys the relevant theories. Among others, it examines the different roles of the mother, presents theories from the field of object relations, describes the archetype of the mother and its meanings according to Jung, and combines them with the drama-therapy treatment theory, especially the role theory. The last chapter is dedicated to presenting conclusions and reservations. The paper combines detailed descriptions of group treatment and uses a research population that includes girls who are disadvantaged and at risk and who were sent to treatment at the young girls? unit of social services.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Personal Journey
Internal Journey ? Discoveries and Metamorphoses of the Internal Mother
Theoretical Literature
Introduction
The Essential Roles of the Mother and their Influence on Normal Development: Winnicott
The Mother as an Object (Positive and Negative Aspects of the Mother Figure)
Different Essential Functions of the Mother (Different Theoreticians)
The Mother as a Generating Factor According to Bollas
The "Mother Archetype" and Her Dual Characteristics (K. Jung)
Different Types of Mother Complexes in Girls (K. Jung)
The Role Theory in Drama Therapy
The Individual as Receiver of Role
The Individual as Taker of Role
The Individual as Player of Role
The Role System
The Role Theory and its Application in Drama Therapy
Application ? Treatment Theory
Individual Treatment ? Background
"The Parental Girl" And Sub-Roles ? Individual Treatment
Working With a Therapeutic Group ? Resuscitation of the Mother's Different Aspects on the Therapeutic Stage
Split Processes
Discussion and Conclusions
Conclusions
Reservations
My Personal Learning
From the Paper "The central role of the mother or her replacement during the first two periods is to be holding environment. Wincott meant the holding around the routine of treatment of the baby that includes adjustment to the psychological changes related to the baby. From the psychological point of view the holding mains supporting the ego of the baby before the integration of the ego is created in him. The held baby feels that he has a protecting security net and this way he has the feeling of being and going, feelings that represent the basis of a strong self. The main role in holding is to protect from and reduce the intrusion from outside (including that of the mother). Since these disturb the baby's tranquility and he experiences them as trauma, the baby has to react, which removes him from the feeling of being in which he is found."
Abstract This well-researched paper analyzes the role and rights of the biological father in adoption proceedings, while drawing upon an examination of relevant case laws. This paper details the history of the adoption process which was legally recognized in the U.S. in the 1850s, with the inception of the first adoption statute. The writer of this in-depth paper examines the Supreme Court's recognition and willingness to recognize and expand the rights of biological fathers in cases of adoption and / or custody matters. This paper provides a general overview regarding the current status of unwed fathers' adoption rights. This paper examines California law pertaining to the rights of the biological father. This paper discusses California's current stance on the issue, which is that the courts utilize the best interests of the child standard when considering whether the biological father presents a substantial risk of detriment to the child's well-being. While the other hand, other courts have argued that the best interests of the child standard should no longer be the primary consideration in the determination of whether the court should terminate an unwed biological father's rights. This paper cites numerous case studies containing relevant information to this particular topic. This paper details the case of Pena vs. Mattox, in which the biological father argued that his due process rights were violated when his parental rights were terminated by the adoption of his child. The writer contends and explains why are there are no clear guidelines establishing how courts should decide adoption cases involving fathers' rights, and as a result these rights have slowly evolved in favor of the father.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
General Adoption Information / History
A Father's Constitutional Rights
California Courts & Adoption Law
Role of the Supreme Court & The Present Status of Biological Father's Rights
Future of the Adoption Process
Bibliography
Cases Cited
From the Paper "Whatever method courts decide to use, it is of paramount importance that these disputes be resolved in a quick and efficient manner. Dragging custody disputes out over long periods of time only serves to cause emotional harm to everyone involved, especially to the child whose future hangs in limbo while the case slowly moves through the courts. By implementing a uniform system of deciding these cases, forum shopping will be avoided. Consequently, multiple courts will no longer be asked to hear the same case, as happened in the Baby Jessica case. This will surely lead to faster adjudication and resolution of these disputes and, consequently, to less psychological trauma to the children caught in the middle."
Tags: rights, law, parent, child, legal, biological, adoption, case
Abstract This paper explains that the number of children adopted by gay men and lesbian parents has increased as more state laws have relaxed the prohibition on these types of adoptions and as more social workers and agencies now are willing to accommodate and intervene for them. The author points out that this changing trend has lead to critical concerns about sexual orientation, the probability of molestation, teasing and harassment of the child, which have created a dilemma for the social workers between the need for adoptive families and the principles of his or her profession. The paper relates that research suggests that the adopted children of gay and lesbian parents develop normal or straight relationships with their peers and satisfying relationships with adults of both sexes; therefore, social workers should support this type of adoption as guided by their professional code of ethics.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
History of Adoption Reasons for Accepting Adoption by Gay or Lesbian Parents Issues and Concerns
Conclusion
From the Paper "The revolutions of the 1960s and 1970s further influenced and modified adoption practices. These revolutions were the women's liberation, civil rights movement, sexual revolution, the adoptee's liberty movement, and the birth fathers' rights, birth control, legalized abortion and a dominant single parenthood culture. One consequence was that social workers were encouraged to adjust their role as educators for adoptive parents in helping them recognize and cope with raising adopted children as against raising natural children. Adoptive parents now demand more information on the child they take and whose future is entrusted to them."
Abstract This paper argues that adopted children should have the right to decide whether or not they want to meet their birth parents. The author relates that five basic steps of the adoption process. The paper underscores that it is completely normal for children to want to know about their adoptiveparents to see where they come from and if they have any siblings. However, adoptiveparents worry that finding the birth parents could be dangerous to their children and could change the rest of their lives in negative ways. The paper concludes that bringing birth parents and adopted children together reunites the missing pieces of all their lives.
From the Paper "The birth parents put their children up for adoption for many different reasons. Some are too young to be having a child, some don't have enough money to be able to support their child, some were raped and don't want anything to do with the child, some are crazy and threaten to beat or even kill their child, etc. About 20-30 percent of birth parents never want to see their child again. Some say that if they ever did see their child again, they would kill them. Most birth parents, however, do wish to meet up with their children one day and keep updated on how they're doing and what they look like."
Abstract In this paper the author examines the rights and wrongs involved in revealing the true identity of the birth mother of an adopted child.He considers both sides of the discussion for and against in revealing the truth and how it can effect all the parties involved. The paper highlights all of the important emotional and medical issues that are at hand here and concludes with the importance of telling the truth to prevent further problems.
From the Paper " There is obviously an emotional attachment or detachment to the idea of identifying and even meeting one's birth mother. Some are surely angry, even though their adoptive parents have been to them what their biological mother could not provide. Often the first bitter question is "Why did you get rid of me?" To others, the sardonic display of cold emotion would surely presage the sort of remark "My living parents obviously care enough about me to give me things you didn't want to."
Abstract This paper looks at what happens to the people involved when an adopted child tries to find his/her birth parents. The paper shows how, despite it being a difficult decision, and sometimes an unsuccessful process, the outcome is usually positive.
Contents
Poem
Introduction
Statistics on Adoption Adoption Facts
Positive/Negative Aspects of Adoption Personal Accounts of Adoptive Families
Conclusion
From the Paper "The majority of studies that have been conducted however related to adoption research have indicated that the effects of finding one's birthparents are often positive in nature, not only for the adoptee but for the birthparent as well. Much evidence also indicates that finding one's birthparents may solidify gaps in the relationship for adoptive families and strengthen unions between adopted parents and children. There is also a great deal of information that shows that most adopted children do at some point seek out their birthparents, and many birthparents readily make available identifying information about themselves."
Abstract This paper explains that the opponents of rights for gays and lesbians claim that gays and lesbians are not merely unsuitable as potential adoptiveparents but also entirely immoral. The author underscores that, overwhelmingly, the opposition to adoption by gays and lesbians is based on religious arguments. The paper relates that, although opponents of homosexual adoption have long tried to make a case that a child raised by a homosexual couple is at greater risk than a child raised by "straight" parents, serious research to support this is virtually non-existent. The author stresses that there is overwhelming scientific support, from such authorities as the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, that gays are entirely suitable as adoptiveparents.
From the Paper "Despite these studies, there are bitter opponents of gay adoption, and it is notable that a tiny group of people remain dedicated to the idea that there is a "scientific" basis for opposition to gay adoption. One of the most credentialed opponents of gay adoption is Lynn Wardle, a professor of law at the Brigham Young University Law School. Wardle has been most vocal in custody disputes, in which he contends if a biological parent is found to be gay, this creates a rebuttable presumption that the parent is unfit and should therefore by denied custody."
Tags: religious, scientific, custody, development, research
Abstract A review of the change in recent years towards more open adoptions.This proposal argues that, because of the advantages of these open adoptions, social workers, and adoption agencies should encourage both birth and adoptive families to develop lines of communication. Such an arrangement, this paper argues, will benefit both families and, more importantly, the adopted child.
From the Paper "However, most birth parents now are far from this picture. Most birth mothers are in their 20s and 30s. Most of them are already parents, who are struggling to make ends meet. Many are married immigrants, who are working two jobs to send money for children left behind in their native countries. What they have in common, observes Judith Freedman of the Massachusetts-based Jewish Family and Children's Service, is that most of them do not believe in abortion, and that all of them love their child (Keva). Typical birth parents include Joe Polenzani and his girlfriend, who faced the dilemma of an unplanned pregnancy when they were in college. Both did not believe in abortion, and were leery of the old adoption system which severely terminated the role of birth parents."
Abstract This paper examines the current situation in which homosexual couples wishing to adopt a child are discriminated against. The writer argues against this practice, stating that one's sexual morality should not take away from one's ability to be a good parent; and that this should be the major criteria for deciding who is fit to adopt.
From the Paper "A home. Two loving parents or at least one loving parent. Two or even one heart filled with unconditional love for a child. Surely this is something that every child should expect to come home to? Of course, not every child born in America today enjoys this luxury. But it is an ideal that every adoption and social service agency should aspire to create. Thus, homosexual parents and homosexual individuals should be allowed to adopt children. Currently, some states, such as Florida, bar gay adoption. Recently, a family overseen by two gay men was broken up by Florida's department of social services, because the law would not allow the couple to formally adopt the. ("Riveted to Rosie" Gay Parent Magazine, March Online Edition) Other states, such as California, do not prohibit gay adoption outright. However, although "a gay or lesbian couple is not legally barred from adopting a child" simply because of sexual orientation and ?it is still more difficult, as a practical matter, for gay and lesbian couples to adopt than for married couples.? (Guerlin & Glima, Chapter 1) Both legal and informal discrimination must cease. An individual's sexuality is not of paramount importance in his or her ability to provide a stable home life. Furthermore, an individual's fitness as a parent should be the primary criteria considered in the adoption process, not his or her morality outside of parental fitness. Lastly, good homes are too scarce for some children in today's adoption market, particularly for older, ailing, or less physically desirable children, to eliminate potential parents because of their sexuality."
