234-01: “Child Would Do Best With a Mom and a Dad”: Descriptions of Heteronormativity in State Foster Care Photolistings

Aligned with the NCFR 2019 conference theme, this symposium provides a life course perspective on the experience of adoptees, adoptive families, and adoption professionals. The four papers utilize mixed methods data to highlight underrepresented yet timely topics in adoption research, such as adoptees’ perspectives in middle childhood through adulthood. Topics are considered in terms of contextualizing relationships (e.g., with adoptive and birth relatives) and evolving systems (e.g., legal/practical openness in adoption) to bring forth information relevant to policy, law, and practice about (1) children currently awaiting adoptive placement in the United States, (2) families with young adopted children in open adoptions, (3) emerging adult adoptees’ perceptions of birth fathers, and (4) the role of confidential intermediaries in assisting adult adoptees to access adoption information.

Objectives

- To describe experiences of adoptive families using developmental and life course perspectives
- To consider experiences from adoption-relevant policy contexts (e.g., legal/practical openness)  
- To focus attention on underrepresented perspectives in adoption (e.g., adoptees, birth families)

Keywords: adoption, family processes, heteronormativity

234-02: School-Age Adopted Children’s Feelings About Adoption in the Context of Families Diverse in Parental Sexual Orientation

Aligned with the NCFR 2019 conference theme, this symposium provides a life course perspective on the experience of adoptees, adoptive families, and adoption professionals. The four papers utilize mixed methods data to highlight underrepresented yet timely topics in adoption research, such as adoptees’ perspectives in middle childhood through adulthood. Topics are considered in terms of contextualizing relationships (e.g., with adoptive and birth relatives) and evolving systems (e.g., legal/practical openness in adoption) to bring forth information relevant to policy, law, and practice about (1) children currently awaiting adoptive placement in the United States, (2) families with young adopted children in open adoptions, (3) emerging adult adoptees’ perceptions of birth fathers, and (4) the role of confidential intermediaries in assisting adult adoptees to access adoption information.

Objectives

- To describe experiences of adoptive families using developmental and life course perspectives.
- To consider experiences from adoption-relevant policy contexts (e.g., legal/practical openness).  
- To focus attention on underrepresented perspectives in adoption (e.g., adoptees, birth families).

Keywords: adoption, family processes, heteronormativity

234-03: Emerging Adult Adoptees and the Birth Father Relationship: Information, Perceptions, and Satisfaction

Aligned with the NCFR 2019 conference theme, this symposium provides a life course perspective on the experience of adoptees, adoptive families, and adoption professionals. The four papers utilize mixed methods data to highlight underrepresented yet timely topics in adoption research, such as adoptees’ perspectives in middle childhood through adulthood. Topics are considered in terms of contextualizing relationships (e.g., with adoptive and birth relatives) and evolving systems (e.g., legal/practical openness in adoption) to bring forth information relevant to policy, law, and practice about (1) children currently awaiting adoptive placement in the United States, (2) families with young adopted children in open adoptions, (3) emerging adult adoptees’ perceptions of birth fathers, and (4) the role of confidential intermediaries in assisting adult adoptees to access adoption information.

Objectives

- To describe experiences of adoptive families using developmental and life course perspectives.
- To consider experiences from adoption-relevant policy contexts (e.g., legal/practical openness).  
- To focus attention on underrepresented perspectives in adoption (e.g., adoptees, birth families).

Keywords: adoption, family processes, heteronormativity

234-04: “I Build and Burn Bridges”: Experiences of Confidential Intermediaries in Post-Adoption Contact

Aligned with the NCFR 2019 conference theme, this symposium provides a life course perspective on the experience of adoptees, adoptive families, and adoption professionals. The four papers utilize mixed methods data to highlight underrepresented yet timely topics in adoption research, such as adoptees’ perspectives in middle childhood through adulthood. Topics are considered in terms of contextualizing relationships (e.g., with adoptive and birth relatives) and evolving systems (e.g., legal/practical openness in adoption) to bring forth information relevant to policy, law, and practice about (1) children currently awaiting adoptive placement in the United States, (2) families with young adopted children in open adoptions, (3) emerging adult adoptees’ perceptions of birth fathers, and (4) the role of confidential intermediaries in assisting adult adoptees to access adoption information.

Objectives

- To describe experiences of adoptive families using developmental and life course perspectives.
- To consider experiences from adoption-relevant policy contexts (e.g., legal/practical openness).  
- To focus attention on underrepresented perspectives in adoption (e.g., adoptees, birth families).

Keywords: adoption, family processes, heteronormativity