A phenomenological study of the experiences of adult transracial adoptees in South Africa

The high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other fatal diseases, and poverty experienced by Black communities has resulted in a significant increase in the number of orphaned children and cases of abandonment in South Africa. Due to the limited number of Black families willing to adopt and the limited number of White children available for adoption, transracial adoption has become an option for parents, and children in need of homes. Although the ideal situation is for children to be raised by parents who racially resemble them, the South African context which is shaped by a history of Apartheid and ongoing economic disparities affecting Black people often results in Black children being adopted by White families. This raises various debates, with some people in support and others against transracial adoption. While much research has focused on the perspectives of transracial adoptive parents and social workers, limited research has been dedicated to the adoptees themselves. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of adult transracial adoptees in South Africa. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven participants, and data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Seven themes were generated from the data: Early experiences of Adoptees, Parental relationships, Racial challenges, Socialisation, Identity challenges, adoptee’s mental health and benefits of adoption. Findings from the study revealed challenges related to conflicts around Black identity, experiences of racism and prejudice, and difficulties in fully integrating into both Black and White environments. At the same time, adoptees expressed the benefits of adoption, including improved livelihoods and a broadened outlook on life. Recommendations highlight the need to prepare adoptive parents for transracial adoption, encourage cultural and racial socialisation such as adoptees learning an African language and emphasize the responsibility of parents to actively challenge racism within their close circles. Future research should further explore adoptees’ experiences of racism, its impact on mental health and racial/ethnic identity development, and include greater diversity in gender, age, background, and cultural context to enhance the generalizability of findings.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Pretoria

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Wagner, Claire

• UCTD
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Tranracial Adoption
• Adoptees
• South Africa
• Racial Identity

Statement dc:rights

• © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.25403/UPresearchdata.31149067

Dc Identifier Other

April 2026 (A2026)

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107572