Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2010

Publication Title

The American Journal of Family Therapy

Volume

38

Issue

5

First Page

433

Last Page

439

Abstract

Historically, promoting family permanence (e.g., keeping the original parent-children relationships intact) has been controversial. At times, priority was given to the family of origin, but due to the best interests of the child principle, there has also been preference for foster placements and adoptions. This article presents the legal backdrop (e.g., the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997) and discusses history, as well as ethical and psychological issues. It is asserted that (1) at present, the concept of the best interests of the child is of foremost importance, and (2) biological and psychological parental qualities can be enhanced through preventive and remedial parent education in the family therapy context.

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in The American Journal of Family Therapy in October 2010, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01926187.2010.522492.

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