Adolescent Adoption and the Birthfamily

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the psychological and physical presence of birthfamilies in the lives of adoptive parents and adolescents who were adopted. Fifty-eight (58) parents and 37 adolescents were interviewed. Results showed the importance of relationships of adoptive families and adolescents with birthfamilies; that issues around contact began early in the adoption process; that, in terms of contact, “family” was a very inclusive term; that, though most adolescents wanted contact with kin, there was considerable variety in terms of patterns of contact; that a primary facilitator of contact was someone's taking the initiative, usually an adoptive parent; and that certain factors made contact difficult or even prohibitive, but families found ways to address these. Implications for practice, training, and research are suggested.