The Adoption Reunion Handbook
Chapter One
Introduction
The search and reunion process is a leap into the
unknown for those involved and is likely to be a
rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.
Since the mid-1970s many Western countries have introduced new laws to enable adults
adopted as children to find out about and meet a birth relative. In other words to have
an 'adoption reunion'. More recently some countries, such as Australia, have also given
rights to birth relatives to make contact with the adopted person. In England and Wales,
the new Adoption and Children Act 2002 will mean that from 2005 birth relatives will
be able to ask an adoption support agency to make contact with the adopted person on
their behalf.
Ever since adoption reunions have been possible they have led to enormous public
interest and a lot of media coverage around the world. In the UK the reunion between
the former government minister Clare Short and her son was headline news. Search and
reunion have also figured strongly in magazine articles, film and soap opera plots and
TV shows like 'Kilroy' and 'Oprah Winfrey'.
One of the reasons why adoption reunions are such a favourite topic in the media is
that they are very dramatic and emotional ... read full excerpt from The Adoption Reunion Handbook ebook
