Abstract The current paper uncovered the pertinent discourses and themes of and about adoption in the United States throughout the following time periods: 1850-1919, 1920-1959, 1960-1979, and 1980-present. Emergent discourses were placed in their historical context(s) and served to illuminate the conversations and movements that informed prominent adoption discourses, policies, and best practices throughout history. Through illuminating salient discourse and themes of adoption throughout history, a better understanding of how the perspectives that professionals, politicians, practitioners, and social scientists often hold as fundamental have the potential to change over time was afforded. A critical historical analysis provides a foundation for those working in the field of child welfare currently, and adoption specifically, to critically interrogate how their own philosophies, practices, conversations, and policy work may impact the pertinent discourses and themes of and about adoption throughout the 21st century.

中文翻译：

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整个 19 和 20 世纪美国收养和儿童福利政策和实践的论述和主题

摘要 本文揭示了以下时期美国收养的相关话语和主题：1850-1919、1920-1959、1960-1979 和 1980 年至今。新兴话语被置于其历史背景中，并有助于阐明贯穿历史的重要采用话语、政策和最佳实践的对话和运动。通过阐明贯穿整个历史的显着话语和采用主题，可以更好地理解专业人士、政治家、从业者和社会科学家通常持有的基本观点如何随着时间的推移而发生变化。批判性的历史分析为目前在儿童福利领域工作的人提供了基础，特别是收养，