Becoming Parents: Adoption

Local adoptions are down, intercountry adoptions are on the rise. After IVF failed, Birthe and Guy adopted two Korean children through DOCS inter-country adoption programme. They strive to maintain cultural links between their children and Korea. They are supported through ASIAC, a support network of other adoptive parents. Gwenda, a social worker who interviews prospective parents for DOCS over the two years it takes to be assessed, stresses the special needs of overseas born adoptees and the adoptive family's ability to empathise. Lynelle, a Vietnamese adult adoptee, and founder of ICASN, a support group for adoptees, stresses the adoptees' confusion in identity and their need for cultural links with their country of origin.

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