Parental couple experiences of transracial adoption : a phenomenological study

In South Africa, transracial adoption continues to be an option for many parents wanting to adopt a child. Previous research on transracial adoption has focused mainly on the psychological implications and the racial identity development of transracial adoptees. This qualitative study aimed to explore parental couples’ experiences of transracial adoption and was located within a phenomenological framework. In-depth interviews were conducted with three couples and the data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Six themes were generated from the data. These include the aspects that were involved in beginning their journey to adoption, the pre and post adoption process, the avenues of support that were available to the participants, important aspects relating to the adopted child, the challenges that were experienced as unique to transracial adoption, and the implications of race in a transracial adoption. The implications of the findings for adoption organisations and future research are discussed.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Pretoria

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Wagner, Claire

• Parental couples
• Transracial adoption
• Qualitative research
• Phenomenology
• UCTD

Statement dc:rights

• © 2017 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

Dc Identifier Other

S2017

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/61461