Intercountry adoption represents a significant component of international migration; in recent years, up to 45,000 children have crossed borders annually as part of the intercountry adoption boom. Proponents have touted intercountry adoption as a natural intervention for promoting child welfare. However, in cases of fraud and economic incentives, intercountry adoption has been denounced as child trafficking. The debate on intercountry adoption has been framed in terms of three perspectives: proponents who advocate intercountry adoption, abolitionists who argue for its elimination, and pragmatists who look for ways to improve both the conditions in sending countries and the procedures for intercountry transfer of children. Social workers play critical roles in intercountry adoption; they are often involved in family support services or child relinquishment in sending countries, and in evaluating potential adoptive homes, processing applications, and providing support for adoptive families in receiving countries; social workers are involved as brokers and policy makers with regard to the processes, procedures, and regulations that govern intercountry adoption. Their voice is essential in shaping practical and ethical policies of the future. Containing 25 chapters covering the following five areas: policy and regulations; sending country perspectives; outcomes for intercountry adoptees; debate between a proponent and an abolitionist; and pragmatists' guides for improving intercountry adoption practices, this book will be essential reading for social work practitioners and academics involved with intercountry adoption.

About the Author
Judith L. Gibbons is Professor of Psychology, Saint Louis University, USA. Karen Smith Rotabi is Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA.

Reviews
Winner of a Choice Outstanding Academic Title Award for 2013 'Gibbons and Rotabi have assembled a star-studded cast of scholars from demography, psychology, law, education, cultural studies, and social work to present new knowledge and critical viewpoints on the international adoption of children... This superb collection of essays is required reading for adoption scholars, social workers, policy makers, governments, and members of the adoption triad. Summing up: Essential. Upper-division graduates and above.' Choice 'I love the breadth of information and perspective in Intercountry Adoption. It fills a gap in knowledge about a very important part of our world; it's a genuinely important book.' Adam Pertman, Executive Director, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute; author of Adoption Nation 'Drs. Gibbons and Rotabi have assembled an impressive collection of international (and inter-disciplinary) scholars to provide a comprehensive text on the practices and policies of international adoption. This book explores the myriad ethical, legal, and social layers of adoption from diverse perspectives to encourage increased dialogue regarding the global policies that support children in need of care. A must-read!' Samantha L. Wilson, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA 'This is an amazing "must read" book covering a multitude of issues and perspectives associated with intercountry adoptions. Contributing authors discuss intercountry adoption policies and regulations, outcomes for adopters, perspectives from sending countries, and strategies for improving adoption practices. Social work practitioners, researchers, adoption advocates, members of the adoption triad, as well as policy makers all will benefit from this volume.' Ruth G. McRoy, Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, USA 'Cogently edited by Judith L. Gibbons and Karen Smith Rotabi, Intercountry Adoption is not only a timely and stimulating contribution to this potent atmosphere but also a collection of



Book Information
ISBN 9781472468246
Author Karen Smith Rotabi
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 703g