ABSTRACT
The present paper presents a conceptual and empirical overview of the transition to adoptive parenthood. It is argued that prospective adoptive couples confront not only the universal problems faced by other adults in the transition to parenthood, but a host of challenges and hurdles that are unique to adoptive family life. It is also noted, however, that contrary to expectations, adoptive parents and their children appear to handle these additional stresses quite well, at least in the early period of the family life-cycle. Speculations are offered on the relationship between early and later patterns of adjustment within the adoptive family, as well as an overview of some of the methodological problems confronting researchers who undertake to study this area of family life.
