Janette Logan

Exchanging Information Post Adoption: Views of Adoptive Parents and Birth Parents

Janette Logan reports on the findings of a research study which examined the experiences of adoptive parents and birth parents who were involved in an information exchange scheme. While both acknowledged the importance of exchanging information, different views were expressed as to how the exchange should happen and peoples experiences were considerably influenced by their pattern and process of exchange. This study provides empirical evidence to suggest that the exchange of information is by no means straightforward and easy to accomplish in a way that satisfies the needs — in particular the long-term needs — of those involved in the adoption triangle.

Heterosexism and social work education: The invisible challenge

This paper is concerned with the new discourse in social work education with its emphasis on anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice. This directive is examined critically in relation to sexual orientation, suggesting that the contemporary climate is confusing and far from straightforward. The ideological, theoretical and legislative contexts in which social work as a profession has developed are reviewed, and their heterosexist bias exposed. In contrast to developments in relation to racism and sexism, little attention has been given to heterosexism - yet the heterosexual hegemony needs challenging with urgency if we are to truly work in an anti-oppressive way with lesbians and gay men.

HIV/AIDS-Core competencies for practice: A framework for the education and training of social workers

This article identifies the increasing relevance of HIV and AIDS for social work practice in the 1990s and argues that the topic should be included as a core component of all DipSW qualifying programmes. It identifies direct work with people affected by the virus, health education and the politics of AIDS in relation to anti-discriminatory practice as key features of this training. The new educational-agency partnerships developing around DipSW are welcomed as having the potential to ensure a continuum of training for social workers. Local authorities, for instance, should have sufficient influence upon basic training to ensure that workers enter employment with a basic awareness of HIV and AIDS and the complex issues which it raises for practice generally. Agencies can then focus on planning effective training strategies which meet the specific and specialist needs of workers arising out of particular areas of practice. The importance of maximising upon the symbiotic relationship between agencies and edu...

Adoption: Domestic, International and Global Perspectives

Adoption transcends all cultures and has existed over centuries. This article charts the evolution of adoption from Moses in the Bible to contemporary domestic and intercountry adoption practices. Internationally and globally it has evolved in response to changing political, economic, and social circumstances, acting as a solution to social problems of the time. An adoption order is the most radical order that can be made in the field of family law for it involves the permanent transfer of all legal rights and responsibilities from birth parents to a new family.

Review: Further Important Messages from ResearchAdoption Now: Messages from researchParkerRoy (ed) John Wiley & Sons1999168 pages £14.99

belonging, plus a focus on the contact and reunion experience itself. There is an important chapter on the specific experience of transracially adopted adults who searched, which gives essential messages about increased likelihood of alienation, feeling different and the impact of racism. The text is punctuated with short-case vignettes and quotes which bring alive the complexity of reasons and range of emotions involved in searching and being sought. What appeared to be of key significance for most people was a curiosity about who they looked like: ‘A childhood of wondering who you looked like was matched by the fascination of seeing someone who actually did look like you’ (p 120). The final part of the book focuses on conclusions to be drawn from the research and messages for policy and practice. I found this a complex and interesting analysis which attempted to integrate theory and research findings. It seems that for most people the search was primarily for identity purposes (involving curiosity around physical similarities, needing to know more about roots and reasons) while the possible future relationship between the adopted adult and birth relative appeared to be secondary. The established relationship between the adopted person and their adoptive parents tended to be longer lasting than the relationship formed in adulthood between people and their birth relatives. The interplay of nature and nurture dynamics over the life course continued to be of crucial importance in influencing the whole process. The messages in this excellent book are clear to practitioners, policy-makers and legislators in both the statutory and voluntary sectors; they reinforce the importance of comprehensive information about origins, the need for intermediary services for searchers and for those being sought alongside birth relatives, and, of course, the provision of sensitive, knowledgeable and skilled post-adoption services. Further important messages from research