The Encyclopedia of Adoption provides a complete, single-volume reference to the social, legal, economic, psychological and political issues surrounding the adoption experience and its unique terminology. Written for general readers and professionals alike, each of the nearly 400 thoroughly cross-referenced entries describes and explains in clear terms all the basic information needed to understand adoption. Now completely updated and revised, this invaluable reference covers the most recent developments in the field from the Adoption and Safe-Families Act of 1997 to the specialized health problems of children adopted from Eastern Europe.