HDFS 451Adoption: Policy, Practice, and Experience

3 credits · Human Development and Family Studies · Penn State

This course introduces students to the concepts, research, and policies associated with historical and contemporary adoption practice. Topics will include adoption policies, practices, and experiences from the viewpoints of birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive parents. Social, emotional, and developmental issues faced triad members throughout the adoption process and lifespan are also examined. For example, students will be guided to consider implications of various adoption arrangements and policies on identity development (e.g. ethnicity/race and transracial adoption; social class and issues of privilege related to adoption; gender, sexuality, and adoption) as well as how historical and contemporary U.S. adoption policies, laws, and practices intersect with issues of social justice and equity.