[Boulderbabe]

Hi All,

I'm an adoptive mom (I've seen some of you around the boards) and I'm also an anthropologist. I'm trying to put together a project on adoption in Poland, and I wonder if those of you with hard-won expertise might be able to help me.

Could somebody tell me the status of foreign adoption in Poland? How many adoptions are being permitted per year? What are the biggest receiving countries? Are there restrictions on the children who are adoptable? (I had heard only children with major disabilities, but I don't know if that is accurate).

Does anyone know why the children are being placed in the children's homes? I am not sure if children are being voluntarily placed by parents at birth, removed from families by a child welfare agency, or left at an older age by parents who are emigrating.

And finally, can anybody tell me about the frequency of adoption in Poland by Polish families, both for infants and older children?

Thanks very much! If I get this "seed grant" to go to Poland, I'll be very happy to post regular field reports and the final report here for all of you to comment on before publication!

Cheers,
Elizabeth

(P.S. For any of you who would like to know my full name and academic qualifications before answering, I'm happy to send those via PM.)