Work

Relationships Within the Transracially Adopted Child’s Biological Family in South Africa: Experiences of Families in Closed and Open Adoptions

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Socio-economic and cultural circumstances in South Africa impact on why people place children for adoption, and affect the attitudes towards the biological family, as well as communication and contact between the adoptive and biological families. No research on contact between adoptive and biological families of transracial adoptees has been conducted in South Africa. This exploratory research investigated the attitudes towards biological family and how adoptive families manage communication about and contact with the biological family in closed and open adoptions. Snowball sampling was used to recruit 26 transracial adoptive families with a total of 35 adopted children. Data were gathered through family interviews and focus groups, using the FANI interview method and thematically analysed, using an inductive, iterative approach. Results highlight challenges and tasks for adoptive families, including (1) sharing information about biological families; (2) creating connections with community and culture associated with biological families; (3) communication with biological families; and (4) in-person contact with biological family. Keywords: biological family, qualitative research, South Africa, transracial adoption, transracial adoptive families

Source: Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk

DOI: 10.15270/60-4-1400

Authors: Jean Luyt, Leslie Swartz

Institution: Stellenbosch University

Language: English

Topic: Child Welfare and Adoption

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $185