A Better Adoption? Evolution, Challenges, and Projections of Chilean Adoption Policies and Practices

Abstract Following a regrettable history of forced adoptions, Chile underwent a pivotal shift in its adoption policies and practices with the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the Hague Adoption Convention (1993), and the enactment of Law 19.620 (1999). In the last decade, the country has embarked on an unprecedented reform of its child protection system. Aligned with global trends, Chile has also seen a rise in contested adoptions from care. These ongoing transformations present both significant challenges and critical opportunities to reorient child protection and adoption policies. This article examines the evolution, current dynamics, and future prospects of the Chilean adoption system across cultural, legal, institutional, and practical dimensions. We analyze the implications of these changes for adoption policies and practices, highlighting the urgent need for a child-centered approach.