Towards a critical development perspective on intercountry adoptions

Intercountry adoption (ICA) has affected children in developing countries over the last 60 years and has been debated extensively in the academic literature since the 1970s. However, it remains largely undebated in the development studies literature. To enable a discussion, this paper proposes applying a critical development studies lens to study ICA. First, by using an actor-oriented approach, the traditional ‘adoption triad’ is expanded into an ‘ICA heptagon’ that includes other actors who benefit from the system. Second, by focussing on the market aspects of ICA, the ‘supply creation’ of children for adoption becomes evident. Third, by analysing the positionality of authors, the domination by authors from the Global North becomes apparent. Finally, analysing the literature through a decolonial lens clarifies the inequalities in ICA’s roots and current manifestations. Applying this development studies lens increases comprehension of why ICA continues to date, despite increased criticism.