The social acceptance of illegal practices in the Greek domestic adoption system

In Greece there are two types of domestic adoption: adoptions through state institutions and by private agreement. Both routes have been subject to considerable criticism because of the delays involved and the dysfunctional system that fails to prevent semi-legal or illegal activities. Katerina Nanou reports on the findings from a case-based study that explored concerns about the Greek domestic adoption system. Legal, policy documents and press articles were analysed and face-to-face interviews were conducted with lawyers, social workers and adopters. The study found that legislation was being subverted and bypassed, corruption was tolerated and that illegal practices were being justified.