Regulating the global adoption of children

Varnis, Steven L.

doi:10.1007/s12115-001-1039-0

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Temporary foster care or care by kin, which could lead to the reunification of the child with the family of origin at a later stage, is left out of the Global North type of family ideal, and permanent separation in the form of adoption is applied (see King, 2009 [2008]: 444–50; Yngvesson 2010). Adoption is even depicted as ‘saving’ these abandoned children, who are seen as languishing in institutions (Varnis, 2001). In reality, children’s homes may be used by birth mothers as temporary safe places for children while the mothers try to find jobs or otherwise seek to improve their material situations (Högbacka, 2016).…”

Section: Removing the Mothers From The Picturementioning

confidence: 99%

Intercountry adoption and the social production of abandonment

Högbacka

2017

International Social Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although the objective of intercountry adoption is to provide parentless children with families, it also has other unintended consequences. Postcolonial theorists have shown that the intercountry adoption system is shaped by unequal power relations between the Global North and South. Drawing on interviews with South African adoption social workers and birth mothers, this article shifts attention from Global North perspectives to those of the Global South. By focusing on the circumstances of how children become available for adoption, some of the ways in which the adoption system participates in creating the pool of "abandoned" children are explicated.

show abstract

Section: Removing the Mothers From The Picturementioning

confidence: 99%

Intercountry adoption and the social production of abandonment

Högbacka

2017

International Social Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…From a nationalist perspective, international adoption also saps the lifeblood of the sending country by taking away its children. International adoption may also be an affront to the national pride and reputation, as it implies that the country cannot care for its children (Varnis ; Saunders ). In fact, politicians in sending countries often criticize the practice of international adoption, as they seek to stir nationalist emotions and gain popularity.…”

Section: Empiricsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From a nationalist perspective, international adoption also saps the lifeblood of the sending country by taking away its children. International adoption may also be an affront to the national pride and reputation, as it implies that the country cannot care for its children (Varnis 2001;Saunders 2007 sending countries often criticize the practice of international adoption, as they seek to stir nationalist emotions and gain popularity. Explaining her sponsoring of a ban on child adoption by American parents, a member of Russia's parliament argued that "no normal, economically developed country gives away their children.…”

Section: Influences Unique To Adoptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some suggest, for example, that the additional bureaucratic costs that the Hague process entails would be passed on to the prospective parents, making international adoption less affordable; the added costs and requirements imposed on adoption agencies could have a similar effect. Another concern is that the convention enhances the role of governments in the adoption process while diminishing the role of other facilitators and intermediaries who assist the prospective parents in completing the adoption procedures in the sending country (Varnis 2001;Kimball 2005;Hansen and Pollack 2006). Prospective parents share the perception that the Hague adoption process is more bureaucratic, time-consuming, and difficult than the non-Hague process (Eijsink 2011:50).…”

Section: Haguementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Babies across Borders: The Political Economy of International Child Adoption

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article analyzes the determinants of international child adoption. We argue that prospective parents' desire to reduce transaction costs and ensure a successfully completed adoption influences adoption flows. Drawing on dyadic panel data over the period 1991–2010, we fit hurdle models to identify sending‐country and dyad characteristics that correlate with adoption flows. We show that an international agreement designed to ensure the integrity of adoption depresses foreign adoptions by raising transaction costs. By contrast, adoption is more likely when sending countries have a high‐quality regulatory environment and when colonial or migration ties exist within the dyad. Our findings highlight the impact of transaction costs on transnational, non‐market exchange, expand political economy models of migration, and emphasize the importance of private international law in international relations.

show abstract

“…It appeals to neo-liberals because it permits ICA and secures a place for for-profit agencies and private (non-agency) adoptions. Neo-liberals criticize it, though, as unduly restrictive, adding to cost and delay, and making it harder for children to be adopted (Bartholet, 2007;Varnis, 2001). Social democrats appreciate that at least it brings some regulation, but are suspicious that it is weak and allows market-place behaviour to continue.…”

Section: Regulation Of Intercountry Adoptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social policy approaches to intercountry adoption

Dickens

2009

International Social Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

English This article proposes a social policy framework for thinking about inter country adoption, drawing on theories of welfare regimes and globalization. The model highlights the tensions and ambiguities of its policy contexts and consequences. It also shows the possibilities for a radical approach, discussing Romania’s ban on intercountry adoption as an example. French Cet article propose d’utiliser le cadre des politiques sociales pour considérer l’adoption internationale, en s’inspirant des théories des régimes de ‘ welfare’ (sécurité sociale) et de la mondialisation. Le modèle met en évidence les tensions et les ambiguïtés des contextes de ces politiques et leurs conséquences. Il montre aussi les possibilités d’émergence d’une radicalisation de l’approche, en prenant en exemple l’interdiction de la Roumanie pour l’adoption internationale. Spanish Este artículo propone un marco de acción de política social para reflexionar en torno a la adopción entre países, con base en las teorías de los regímenes de bienestar en la globalización. El modelo subraya las tensiones y ambigüedades de los contextos de política y sus consecuencias. Asimismo muestra las pos ibilidades para un acercamiento radical, mediante la discusión de la prohibición Rumana de la adopción entre países, como ejemplo.

show abstract

Regulating the global adoption of children

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Intercountry adoption and the social production of abandonment

Intercountry adoption and the social production of abandonment

Babies across Borders: The Political Economy of International Child Adoption

Social policy approaches to intercountry adoption

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About