adoptee: A person who has been adopted.

adoption agency: Any public or private organization that places children for adoption.

adoptive family: A family with one or more adopted children.

best interests of the child: A policy designed to consider the needs of a child before examining what is best for adoptive or biological parents.

contact veto: A provision of laws in several open records states and countries that forbids adoptees from contacting birth parents who have stated that they do not want contact.

family preservation: The umbrella term used by many social service organizations to characterize efforts including parenting training, temporary foster care, and rehabilitation, all aimed at keeping an original family intact.

fathers' registry: A list of men who suspect they may have impregnated a woman and who want custody of the child. Fathers' registries are typically kept by governments, who alert the men if a baby...