Abstract

Once a child has been adopted, he or she is regarded as the child of the adoptive parent for all purposes, and vice versa. Conversely, an adoption also terminates relationships that existed before the adoption. This article focuses on step-parent adoption. I point out that there is a difference between step-parent adoption and other forms of adoption. I then consider whether it is still appropriate and in the best interests of the child to legalise the relationship between a step-parent and stepchild through adoption, and so to terminate the child’s legal relationship with a parent and/or family. In order to determine this, a comparative analysis is undertaken. Finally, I conclude that the time has come to consider alternative ways to formalise and protect the step-parent and stepchild relationship.