A look at adoption stigma from New Zealand cites a study called, "Blood Ties With Strangers: Navigating the Course of the Adoptive Reunion over the Long Term", an in-depth look at relationships between adoptive children and their birth families.

Touted as the first study to explore the relationship beyond the so-called "honeymoon period" of reunion, it has just been published by the School of Social and Cultural Studies in Auckland.

Taking exception to Nancy Verrier's "Primal Wound" theory that states that adoption is a lifelong experience of grief for adoptee and birth mother, the author of the study explains that there is no statistical basis for such theories, and that there is "... no way to know whether all people who have been adopted experience relating and relationship difficulties more than the norm for their population.”

A brief story out of Ireland this morning is saying that Russia plans to outlaw 'middle-men' in the adoption process, thereby making the process easier and cheaper.

Suggesting that facilitators can double the costs of a Russian adoption, the Irish Adoption Board is hoping for a state-regulated mediation service to, "stop people profiting from prospective parents, and their prospective children."

From India this story about an adoption case in question. Twins were relinquished, then the birth mother wanted them returned, and a sad mess ensued.

Who's right? Who's wrong? Is anyone lying? There's no mention of what might be the best for the children.

The fight for open adoption records is continuing in Canada this week.

With a minority of critics in Ontario arguing that the Adoption Information Disclosure Act presents a breach of privacy, the legislation that was passed in 2005 faces another hurdle before being fully implemented in the fall.

For a slightly more hopeful look at Iraqi orphans, this story from Turkey highlights some who are caring for children there.

UNICEF, of course, chimes in with their usual blah, blah ... being "shocked" and hoping that, "these terrible images from the Baghdad orphanage will spur us all on to do even more for Iraq's children."

Like what? I'd like to ask.