The Changing Face of Adoption in the United Kingdom

The role of adoption in contemporary western society is quite different from any of its historical manifestations as outlined in the previous chapter. This reflects the nature of changes in the related cultural context. From its historical role in fairly closed societies with their well defined boundaries, structured roles and ordered social relationships, adoption has now adapted its functions in relation to the needs of nuclear impermanent family units within a more fluid cosmopolitan society. Modern forms of adoption very much reflect the characteristic pressures on contemporary family life in western society.

This chapter considers the role and functions of adoption against the context of unfolding social change in the United Kingdom, with a particular emphasis on recent developments in England and Wales. It begins with a broad review of modern adjustments to the traditional form of adoption. This includes a focus on the nature of change to the process as it becomes more “open”, accommodates a greater variety of children than formerly and responds to pressure from changes in the needs of adopters. It examines the causes of such adjustments and their consequences for the adoption process and for the roles of each of the parties.

The chapter then deals with each of the three main types of modern adoption: family adoptions, agency adoptions and intercountry adoptions. It identifies the different permutations that constitute each type, provides statistical data to reveal the nature and extent of trends in their use and assesses the capacity of each to promote the welfare interests of the children involved. In particular, it considers child care adoption. Because adoption must also be viewed in the context of other options for securing the welfare interests of children it is necessary to trace the modern policy development that now results in increased numbers of children subject to care orders being placed for adoption. This chapter concludes with a brief overview of contemporary models of adoption so as to contrast contemporary U.K. experience with that of other nations.