Preferred characteristics of future adopted children manifested

The objective of this research was to analyze the preferences of people who have signed up for adoption concerning characteristics of the prospective adopted child. The collected results confirm available literature data which point out that Brazilian candidates for adoption prefer newborn Caucasian girls. The findings also showed the occurrence of changes in the opinion about the preferences for determinate characteristics of the adoptive child during the waiting period before adoption, changes that, in general, occur in such an order as to widen the possibilities of adoption and decrease the waiting period. From this work it was possible to present perspectives of action for professionals who work with prospective adoptive parents, since, more than simply evaluation, the work with future adoptive parents should be towards preparation and guiding. Specifically, by providing support to the familial group, guiding with respect of the adoption process, and, mainly, creating and open environment for the discussion of taboos involved in adoption. Keywords: adoption; legal adoption; preferred characteristics of the prospective adoptive child.