ABSTRACT
In order of importance, the discriminating variables were the child's externality score, the child's age, and whether the child was of minority race. The overstated claims that open adoption is the procedure of choice for infant adoptions is based on virtually no evidence that such a procedure provides lasting benefits to most children. The most significant benefit may be that it encourages the placement of children for adoption. The child characteristics associated with disruption are mostly demographic, but do include a behavioral index and an attitudinal rating of the child's desire to be adopted. The evidence for the benefits to children of open older child adoptions is no more clear or impressive. A longitudinal study of adoptions would allow examination of the child and family prior to placement, in the beginning stages of integration, and, if disrupting, during the disruption.
