Adoption for the benefit of children is a relatively recent historical development which continues to be influenced by the concept of children as the property of their biological parents. Courts cannot make objective findings that a child is abandoned, is in need of an adoptive home, or is in fact already a member of a family which does not include his or her biological parents. The court's attention is first directed to terminating parental rights, which can be accomplished only in extremes of parental behavior. Substantial changes in current practices can occur primarily through new legislation stipulating that the interests of children are to be at least equal to the rights of their parents.