ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the findings of three groups of studies which examine adoption in the context of family and child welfare. It identifies the three main themes: Permanency Planning, Infertility and Adoption, and Adoption Outcome. The chapter discusses infertility, a major reason for adoption in Hong Kong and in many parts of the world. It is important to know whether infertile adoptive parents in Hong Kong are able to accept their grief and loss when limited professional help is given prior to most parents’ transition to adoptive parenthood. Since adoption by unrelated people is commonly practised in contemporary Hong Kong, examining the suitability of adoption as an option for children placement is addressed in the context of family and child welfare. The chapter describes the concept and practice of permanency planning in child welfare which is seen as an integral part of the continuum of out-of-home care.
