Adoption as a solution to intractable parenting problems: Evidence from two English studies

This paper reports the results from two English studies of adoption to illustrate issues and beliefs in the use of adoption as a solution to intractable parenting problems. The data are taken 1) from a study of the placement and psychosocial outcomes for a representative sample of 130 three to eleven-year-old children from the point at which they were recommended for adoption and 2) samples of children from a study of the pathways to permanent placements for children of white and minority ethnic heritage. These representative samples are used to examine the extent to which the decision for adoption results in an adoptive placement, the factors influencing this, including delays in decision-making, and differences in Social Services treatment of children of minority ethnic status. Delay was a major factor in whether adoption took place, but there was no evidence of systematically adverse treatment or processing of ethnic minority children. The psychosocial outcomes for adopted children in study 1 compared with those in the same study who entered long-term foster care showed few differences, but there was significantly better attachment for the adopted children.