Challenges and difficulties for the implementation of open adoption in Spain. The role of mediation

Abstract

The latest changes made in the Spanish legislation on protection of children and adolescents incorporate the figure of open adoption. This is an innovative measure because it clashes with the obligation to break the link between the child and his biological family contemplated until then in the adoption and allows the adoptee to maintain relationship with his family of origin through views or communications. Although open adoption has a long tradition in other countries, its implementation in Spain raises important questions. The objective of this work is the study of expert opinions on the conditions for its implementation in Spain through the analysis of the thematic content of the interviews carried out. This analysis highlight the challenges and difficulties of its implementation, as well as the importance of mediation as a strategy for promoting contacts.