The “Quiet Migration”: Is Intercountry Adoption a Successful Intervention In the Lives of Vulnerable Children?

Over the past decades international adoption has become a global phenomenon involving cross-border movement of vulnerable children, mainly from poor, undeveloped countries to wealthier countries. Debates around international adoptions invoke often-passionate arguments for and against. At times seen as the ultimate form of imperialism, trafficking and exploitation of children, international adoptions are also praised as successful interventions in the lives of the most vulnerable children worldwide. This article draws on research findings on the outcomes of international adoption and its impact on various aspects of adopted children's development and identifies the gaps relating to evidence-based interventions best suited to the needs of these children postinternational adoption. Keypoints: Based on the reviewed research findings, this paper supports the following arguments: overall, children adopted internationally can and do thrive in their adoptive countries; such success is guaranteed by the high commitment of adoptive parents and the availability of post-adoption support services; there is, however, a lack of evidence-based practice relating to interventions best suited to the needs of these children post-international adoption; following a globally standardised process and strict protocols may help alleviate illicit activity in international adoptions; existing guidelines must be tightened to ensure that children are the central focus in intercountry adoption and that their development is not affected by cross-border movement.