“Outcomes” of Adoptions of Children from India

Abstract

Based on the young adult adjustment of adoptees who came to America from Mother Theresa's orphanages, we suggest that the concept of “outcomes” needs to be stretched. Most adoption studies look at outcome from a normative perspective-the success of the adoption as compared to accepted standards of adjustment-ignoring the equally important subjective perspective-the success of the adoption according to the parents and child. We found that while this group of adoptees could be considered “unsuccessful” from a normative standpoint-46% were identified by their parents as having special needs-they were pleased with their lives and themselves as were their parents. Furthermore, those identified by adoptive parents as having difficulties expressed no more dissatisfaction than those not so identified.

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