There has been an overall decline in the number of adoptions of Australian children over the last 25 years, however past and present adoption practices continue to raise a number of challenging and complex emotional and practical issues. This book examines the adoption experience in Australia, including local and intercountry adoption and the legal processes involved; adoption trends; identity and disclosure issues; the impacts of past coercive adoption practices on unmarried birth mothers and their children; post-adoption grief and loss; and the same-sex adoption law debate. A number of personal search and reunion stories are also featured which illustrate some of the complexities and hardships involved. Information about this topic is presented in three chapters: Adoption trends in Australia; Search and reunion; and Intercountry adoption. As the information reproduced in this book is from a number of different sources, readers should always be aware of the origin of the text and whether or not the source is likely to be expressing a particular bias or agenda. It is hoped that, as you read about the many aspects of the issues explored in this book, you will critically evaluate the information presented. In some cases, it is important that you decide whether you are being presented with facts or opinions. Does the writer give a biased or an unbiased report? If an opinion is being expressed, do you agree with the writer?