Lietuvos Respublikos įvaikinimo įgyvendinimas

Abstract

The research deals with the evaluation of implementation of child adoption in the Republic of Lithuania. It tries to explain the phenomenon while revealing the main problems that prevent from seeking effective control and implementation of adoption as well as showing how the public policy may be improved. The qualitative research was chosen in order to reveal the attitudes of participants towards the regulation and implementation of child adoption. Nine participants took part in the research: two members of the Seimas (Parliament), two adoptive families, an expert and specialists from State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service of the Republic of Lithuania, Child Rights protection Service of the Republic of Lithuania, Non-governmental organization and Institution of the Ombudsman for Children Rights of the Republic of Lithuania. The semi-structured interview was chosen as a method to gather the data. However, structural and social problems exist that often become a basis for complicated procedures preventing from seeking effective implementation of adoption. The research revealed that the central institution does not perform coordination function which explains differences in practices and shows why activities often contravene the law. According to the results of the research, insufficiently developed social services for adoptive parents and not enough information about adoption services appear in the country. Moreover, the changes in the particular area are difficult to make because of the carelessness of the state institutions and the slow decision making process.