[The adoption of foreign children]

Over the last twenty years, adoptions of foreign children have increased considerably, even as the number of French children eligible for adoption has fallen. Most adopted foreign children come from South America, India and the Far East, which are all socioeconomically underprivileged areas. Private Agencies for Adoption in foreign countries and Adoptive Family Organizations play a beneficial role. The adoption process is complex and varies from country to country, raising considerable difficulties for the adoptive parents. The child's foreign origin may compound the relational problems that can arise in any adoption. Considerable efforts have been made to provide adoptive parents with the necessary information and support. The outcome of foreign adoptions depends largely on these efforts, that must therefore be intensified.