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The paradox of inter‐country adoption: analysing Romania’s experience as a sending country
Author(s) -
Dickens Jonathan
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international journal of social welfare
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1468-2397
pISSN - 1369-6866
DOI - 10.1111/1468-2397.00198
Subject(s) - legislation , welfare , family reunification , business , developing country , economic growth , political science , economics , market economy , law , immigration
This article explores the effects of inter‐country adoption on the development of in‐country services to protect children and support families in Romania. The country’s child care legislation gives formal priority to domestic alternatives to institutional care – preventive services, family reunification, foster care and in‐country adoption. Despite this, inter‐country adoption continues to play a central role in Romania’s child welfare system. The article analyses the multiple and complex factors at policy and practice levels that lie behind this situation. It is concluded that whilst inter‐country adoption may be used to secure some resources for the development of in‐country services, it paradoxically undermines the effectiveness of those services for the children who are left behind.