Abstract
Adoption breakdown is not a new phenomenon, and research into adoption breakdown has existed for some decades now. However, in recent years, the existence of adoptive placements ending prematurely due to serious difficulties in the family’s life together has attracted increased attention by researchers, policy makers, and practitioners. In particular, the nature, incidence, and characteristics of the breakdown experience are the subjects of interdisciplinary research activity around the world. The multiple reasons why this occurs are considered in this article that also serves as an introduction to the remaining articles in this special section on adoption breakdown.