| The practice of adoption has existed both before and since Grecian times. Although it serves initially as a way to complete a family, it has evolved over years to become a complex social phenomenon that encompasses the issues of family formation, social attitudes, government policies and legislation. Adoption in Australia is even more complicated by its dark history in past adoption practices. With only400or so adoptions a year today compared to thousands of adoptions in the US, Australia has revealed its unique experience in the practice of adoption.This thesis attempts to provide an overview of the development of adoption issue in Australia. The relationship among the three parties of adoption triangle in different periods and Australian national sentiments towards adoption will be examined. The focus is to find out whose best interests that the adoption in Australia truly represents.The study introduces the topic of adoption from a worldwide perspective and situates Australian adoption in an international picture. Then the thesis respectively examines the two types of adoptions in Australia—domestic adoption and intercountry adoption. The trauma and remorse generated from the Stolen Generation and the white relinquishing mothers have a profound influence on the contemporary sentiments the Australians hold towards adoption. Intercountry adoption, however, takes a divergent path. The interview with Intercountry Adoption Service of the state of Victoria will be used to understand the divergence.The study concludes that the issue of adoption in Australia has developed from being adoptive-parents-centred to being adoptee-centred. Although past adoption practices has made the practice less endorsed in Australia than in other countries, adoption in Australia has succeeded in moving from being a White Australian Policy to a desirable way to form a nuclear family and finally to serve the best interests of the child. |
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