Intercountry Adoption: A Review of the Evidence

Abstract– Studies of the outcome of intercountry adoption are reviewed in the context of its history and politics. Intercountry adoption is a post-World War II phenomenon, and has become largely a service for childless couples in the West. Many Third World countries, and some Western social workers, are bitterly opposed to the practice, on both political and psychological grounds. Outcome studies have produced results similar to those found in studies of incountry adoption, although, to date, insufficient attention has been paid to issues of identity and racism. The policy implications of these studies will depend on political considerations, as well as the research evidence.