Bibliography: pages 235-252. / This investigation into adoption began in January 1986 in the Republic of South Africa. The aim was to understand adoption from the subjective viewpoint of adults who were adopted as infants or children. It was based on the working hypothesis that although adoption has universal qualities, there would also be regional, cultural and time-related differences affecting both the practice and experience of adoption. Appeals were made for respondents through three popular magazines, private welfare organisations, the Registrar of Adoption and by means of "snowball sampling". Questionnaires were subsequently posted country-wide between April and October 1986. The questionnaire contained 209 open- and closed-ended questions covering the period from adoption placement to adulthood. An eighty-eight percent response rate was obtained. The material was analysed with emphasis on the qualitative interpretation of the content of the data in the open-ended responses. The sample comprised eighty-two adult adoptees between the ages of eighteen and seventy, of whom seventy-one percent were female, twenty-nine percent male, 58,5 percent Afrikaans speaking and 41,5 percent English- speaking. Cultural differences were found in the responses of the two language groups. Variables that have been considered relevant or insufficiently explored in the literature on adoption were examined. These were: age of placement; attachment in the adoptive home; manner and timing of revelation of adoptive status and adoptee reactions to this; adoptee thoughts and fears concerning birth parents, the school experience; identity problems in adolescence and adulthood manifested as insecurity or behaviour problems; the adoptee's need to know more about his or her origins and the concomitant consequences. Notable findings were: the paucity of information given to these adoptees about their origins; thoughts and fears about birth parents that occurred as early as the pre-school period; childhood fears arising from the adoptive status; sensitivity about being adopted; peer group cruelty in pre-puberty and a seventeen percent parasuicide incidence among the members of this sample. Another finding related to the adult adoptee's need for a bio-genealogical history, especially in view of the high risk of certain genetic disorders, particularly among the Afrikaner population. The majority of the adoptees in this sample entertained the possibility of meeting birth parents one day; for many this began in pre-puberty. This was contingent on the quality of the relationship with their adoptive parents in only a minority of cases. Few adoptees could share their thoughts about adoption and birth parents with their adoptive parents. Adoptees who were 'searching' or who had 'found' birth parents were motivated more by a need to know who they were and why they had been given up for adoption, than by a need to replace the 'lost parent'. Where the relationship with the adoptive parents was warm and satisfying, the finding of birth parent(s) did not affect the adoptive relationship deleteriously. These findings point to a need for more research on adoption following changes in South African adoption laws allowing adult adoptees access to court records of their adoption. Adoptees and their parents need informed assistance from those who counsel them.

rans-racial adoption was first legalised in South Africa in 1991, and remains a contentious issue within a society in which the ramifications of apartheid are still felt. The study was borne of recognition of the need for clear understanding of the phenomenon of trans-racial adoption in the unique South African context, from the perspective of the adoptees themselves. The phenomenological approach was employed in this qualitative study, in order to gain an understanding of the meaning and sense that trans-racial adoptees ascribe to their lived experiences. The population for the study was trans-racially adopted individuals within South Africa, aged 18 years or older, who have been legally adopted during infancy or early childhood, after 1991. Snowball sampling was determined to be the most appropriate sampling method for the study. Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted with six trans-racial adoptees. These interviews were led by the question "Tell me the story of your experience of growing up as a trans-racially adopted child, and the meaning that this has for you?" The data collected through the interview process was analysed using thematic data analysis. The trustworthiness of the research process and findings was achieved through employing theoretically prescribed data verification strategies. The rich accounts offered by the participants provided insight into their experiences. The most significant study findings revealed that the participants experienced emotional security within their adoptive families, but encountered racism and discrimination within society. The findings further indicated that ambivalence developed during the process of identity formation. In making sense of their experiences, the participants reflected on their uniqueness and individuality, and highlighted gains related to their upbringing. It was evident that quality parental care and the participants’ own resilience contributed to their success in navigating these challenges. Based on the research findings, the study concluded with recommendations for enhancing outcomes in trans-racial adoption.

Using the theory of the dialogical self, this study aimed to understand the identities of a sample of transracially adopted South African adolescents. Particular attention was paid to the identity domains of race and adoption, as well as the impact of relationships on the formation of individual identity. In-depth interviews were conducted with four transracially adopted adolescents and their parents. The voice centred relational method (Brown and Gilligan, 1992) was used as the method of analysis. Results of this research support many assumptions of the theory of the dialogical self and suggest that there is a dynamic relationship between internal and external positions within the self. In addition, the results show that the participants have developed racial and adoptive identities characterized by conflicting positions within the self, which may be mediated by relationships with significant others. Issues specific to the South African context, including language and poverty, also appear to bear significant influence on the identities of the participants. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Thousands of children are being abandoned in South Africa each year, consequently entering the child-care and protection system. The Children’s Act 38 of 2005, which governs all practices involving children in South Africa, clearly advocates for adoption as the superior form of intervention in cases of abandonment. Yet adoption continues to be one of the most under-utilised childcare practices in South Africa, especially by the black, majority population. This is unfortunately despite the fact that most of the adoptable children are from the black population group. This study therefore aimed to investigate the views of adoption social workers regarding the practice of trans-racial adoptions of abandoned children. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed for this study. A combination of exploratory and descriptive research designs was utilised as the framework for the research approach. Data was collected by means of a semi-structured interview schedule, which was conducted during personal interviews with social work professionals. The findings of the empirical investigation revealed that according to the views of the social workers under-graduate social work training was largely inadequate in preparing social workers to work in the field of adoption. It was also found that social workers felt that the importance of permanency planning in all work with children was not comprehensively explored during under-graduate studies. Findings further indicated that trans-racial adoption is viewed positively amongst adoption social workers, and is regarded as the far superior alternative to foster-care or institutional care for children who have been abandoned. It was however found that in cases of abandonment, adoption might be an under-utilised option amongst child-protection workers. Children available for adoption were reported as being predominantly from the black population group, while it was indicated that the majority of parents wanting to adopt are from the white community. In line with this, it was noted that there are not many prospective adoptive parents from the black community. Of significance was therefore the finding that very few adoption organisations have active recruitment programmes focused on recruiting black adoptive parents, inevitably bringing trans-racial adoption to the fore. One of the most important recommendations of this study is therefore that adoption organisations should develop and implement recruitment programmes, which specifically target prospective black adopters in an effort to increase the potential pool of black adopters. In addition, the recommendations emphasised the importance of adequate education of social workers in order to ensure that the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 is adequately understood and implemented in cases of abandonment. Ensuring that social workers move towards adoption as fast as possible in cases of abandonment can not only increase the chances of the child being adopted, but can also help to prevent developmental problems associated with institutional care. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Duisende kinders word jaarliks in Suid-Afrika deur hulle ouers verlaat (“abandon”), en betree gevolglik die kindersorg en beskermingsisteem. Die Kinderwet 38 van 2005, wat alle praktyke rakende kinders in Suid Afrika reguleer, promoveer duidelik aanneming as die beste vorm van intervensie in gevalle van kinderverlating. Steeds bly aanneming egter een van die mees onderbenutte kindersorg praktyke in Suid-Afrika, veral onder die swart meerderheidsbevolking. Dit ten spyte van die feit dat meeste aanneembare kinders uit die swart bevolkingsgroep kom. Hierdie studie was daarop gemik om die menings van aannemings-maatskaplike werkers rakende die praktyk van inter-ras aannemings van kinders wat deur hulle ouers verlaat is te ondersoek. Beide kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe benaderings is toegepas vir hierdie studie. ‘n Kombinasie van ondersoekende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerpe is gebruik as die raamwerk vir die navorsingsbenadering. Data is versamel deur middel van ‘n semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud skedule wat uitgevoer is tydens persoonlike onderhoude met maatskaplike werkers. Die empiriese ondersoek het bevind dat die maatskaplike werkers van mening was dat voorgraadse opleiding in maatskaplike werk grootliks onvoldoende was om maatskaplike werkers voor te berei vir werk op die gebied van aanneming. Daar is ook bevind dat maatskaplike werkers die standpunt huldig dat die belangrikheid van permanensie-beplanning in alle werk met kinders nie omvattend verken is tydens voorgraadse studies nie. Verdere bevinding dui daarop dat inter-ras aanneming positief beskou word deur aannemings-maatskaplike werkers en dat dit by verre as die beste alternatief tot pleegsorg of institisionele sorg vir kinders wat deur hulle ouers verlaat is, beskou word. Daar is egter bevind dat in gevalle van kinderverlating die opsie van aanneming onderbenut mag wees deur kinderbeskermings werkers. Daar is aangedui dat kinders wat beskikbaar is vir aanneming grootliks uit die swart meerderheids bevolkingsgroep kom, terwyl daar ook aangedui is dat die meerderheid van ouers wat kinders wil aanneem uit die wit gemeenskap kom. Daar is aangedui dat min van die prospektiewe aannemings ouers uit die swart gemeenskap kom. ‘n Betekenisvolle bevinding was gevolglik dat baie min aannemings-organisasies aktiewe werwingsprogramme het wat daarop fokus om swart aannemingsouers te werf, wat noodwendig inter-ras aanneming na vore bring. Een van die belangrikste aanbevelings van hierdie studie is dus dat aannemings-organisasies werwingsprogramme moet ontwikkel en implementeer wat spesifiek prospektiewe swart aannemers teiken in ‘n poging om die poel van swart aannemers te vergroot. Verder beklemtoon die aanbevelings die belangrikheid van voldoende opleiding van maatskaplike werkers ten einde te verseker dat die Kinderwet 38 van 2005 voldoende verstaan word en geïmplementeer word in gevalle van kinderverlating. Deur toe te sien dat maatskaplike werkers so gou moontlik beweeg na aanneming in gevalle van kinderverlating verbeter nie slegs die kind se kans om aangeneem te word nie, maar dit kan ook help om die ontwikkelingsprobleme geassosieer met institusionele versorging te voorkom.

A research report submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology In the faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg February 2016 / Literature on adoption and abandonment in South Africa is somewhat limited. As abandonment is a pressing issue in South Africa, it is important to grow the body of literature so that these children and their adoptive families can be given effective help and support. This study focused on the relationship between adoptive parents and their previously abandoned, adopted children. Emphasis was placed on exploring this relationship and capturing the narrative of these adoptive parents as they provided an account of their experiences in adopting an abandoned child. To help guide this exploration, this study looked at how the experience of being abandoned affects the relationship between the adoptive parent and their adopted child. The study then focused on how good enough parenting ameliorated these early adverse experiences and finally explored the type of help sought by adoptive parents to help their children. The research design employed for this study was qualitative in nature and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five adoptive mothers in Johannesburg. Thematic content analysis was used to obtain themes and interpret the data. The findings of this study revealed that the adopting of abandoned children was a challenging journey yet, given that these adoptive mothers have been good enough caregivers to their children, providing them with consistency and stability in care, they have inspired the birth of relationships that feel more secure. In addition, the findings pointed out that the tracking of the relationship between adoptive parents and the adopted child from pre-pubescent years into pubescent years is likely to reveal more about the relationship. / MT2017

M.A. / Transracial Adoption (TRA) was legalised in South Africa in June 1991. TRA is a controversial issue all over the world. In the United Kingdom and United States there has been extensive research on TRA related to many different aspects of it, rendering a variety of conflicting results. Little research has been conducted around TRA in South Africa to date. This study was undertaken to research the relatively new phenomenon of TRA in South Africa. The study was based on literature and research from overseas, to identify how TRA in South Africa compares. The respondents of the study were parents who have adopted transracially and social workers who have been involved in TRA. A hybrid of exploratory and descriptive study was conducted. Fourteen parents and twenty-one social workers responded to the questionnaires. The primary limitation being the small sample of respondents, however, due to the population size being small this sample could be representative. The results showed that people involved in TRA in South Africa are aware of, and concerned about, very similar issues as those raised overseas. As TRA in South Africa is still in its teething phase, valuable results emerged about how to go about TRA, so as to make it most effective for all parties concerned. Preparation for TRA, racial identity issues and recommendations for further research were discussed according to results from the study.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work , Faculty of Humanities, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017 / In South Africa, there are thousands of children who cannot be raised by their parents or relatives and consequently unrelated, legal adoption is usually considered to be in their best interests. South Africa has ratified international agreements, which emphasise that adoptable children have a right to grow up in their country of origin and intercountry adoption should be considered ‘a last resort’. The Children’s Act (No. 38 of 2005) legally entrenches several innovations to facilitate adoptable children being raised in South Africa. Accredited adoption agencies have made ongoing efforts to make adoption more accessible to South Africans, but the number of South Africans legally adopting unrelated children adoption is small and continues to decline. To help address this pressing child welfare problem, the main aim of this research was to develop a grounded theory explaining what factors affect the decision-making processes of urban black South Africans regarding legally adopting unrelated child. This population group was focused on because they presented as a promising pool of prospective adopters. It was reasoned that to facilitate domestic adoption, policy makers and practitioners need to gain a clearer understanding of what factors dissuade black South Africans from legally adopting unrelated children. A qualitative inquiry was conducted using the Corbin and Strauss approach to the grounded theory method. Personal interviews were conducted with 39 purposively selected black participants that were divided into five cohorts, namely i) adopters ii) adoption applicants in the process of being assessed as prospective adopters iii) adoption applicants who did not to enter the assessment process iv) social workers specialising in the field of adoption and v) South African citizens who have some knowledge of legal adoption practice. The grounded theory emerging was ‘Tensions surrounding adoption policy and practice and perceptions and experiences of adoption.’ Essentially this grounded theory is based on five categories: Meanings of Kinship; Information and Support; Cultural and Material Mobility; Parenthood, Gender and Identity and Perceptions of Parenting and Childhood. It is recommended that adoption policy and practice be shaped to reflect a balanced child-centred and adult-centred approach. Furthermore, recruitment strategies should be based on findings at a grassroots level. Key words: legal adoption; adoptable children; Africanisation; decision-making processes, adoption assessment process and grounded theory. / GR2018

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Multicultural adoption became a reality in South Africa in 1994, after the abolition of the apartheid legislation. This is therefore a relatively new and unfamiliar terrain for those social workers that specialise in adoption. A gap was identified with regard to a sufficient theoretical foundation and the absence of guidelines regarding this phenomenon in South Africa. This study was undertaken in an attempt to address this shortcoming and in order to gain more direction and clarity regarding multicultural adoption. Through a literature study an attempt was made to determine how legislation on adoption in South Africa is interpreted as well as to establish the role played by the social worker during adoption. A historical overview of adoption in South Africa is discussed as well as the current legislation that relates to multicultural adoption. With reference to the purpose of the research, the literature study also focused on a practice perspective, multicultural intervention and theories that are applicable. Furthermore the profile of parents that adopt children of another culture and the motives surrounding this, were examined during the literature study. An exploratory study was undertaken to establish the needs of parents who adopt children of another culture as well as to determine the cultural skills that social workers require in order to successfully facilitate multicultural adoptions. The ultimate purpose of the study was to formulate guidelines for social workers for multicultural adoptions. The empirical study was aimed at parents that have already adopted children of another culture and was limited to the Western Cape. The results of the empirical study confirmed the researcher's supposition that social workers should master multicultural skills in order to successfully facilitate multicultural adoptions and that a cultural awareness is imperative. Based on the study and the results, recommendations for a policy framework with regard to multicultural adoptions was formulated and guidelines and proposals for the implementation of multicultural intervention and adoption were laid down. The recommendations of this study can be used by all social workers and parents that are involved in multicultural adoptions and also by other welfare organisations and social workers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Multikulturele aanneming het in 1994, na die afskaffing van apartheidswetgewing, 'n werklikheid in Suid-Afrika geword. Hierdie is dus 'n redelik nuwe en onbekende terrein vir maatskaplike werkers wat in aanneming spesialiseer. 'n Leemte ten opsigte van voldoende teoretiese fundering en afwesigheid van riglyne rakende hierdie verskynsel in Suid-Afrika, is geïdentifiseer. In 'n poging om hierdie leemte aan te spreek en meer rigting en duidelikheid oor multikulturele aanneming te verkry, is hierdie ondersoek onderneem. Met die literatuurstudie is gepoog om die interpretering van wetgewing oor aanneming in Suid-Afrika te bepaal en ook die rol wat die maatskaplike werker tydens aanneming speel, vas te stel. 'n Historiese oorsig van aanneming in Suid-Afrika is bespreek en ook die huidige wetgewing wat met multikulturele aanneming verband hou. In aansluiting by die doel van die navorsing is daar ook tydens die literatuurondersoek gefokus op 'n praktykperspektief, multikulturele intervensie en teorieë wat van toepassing is. Voorts is die profiel van ouers wat kinders vanuit 'n ander kultuur aanneem en ook die motiewe daarrondom, tydens die literatuurstudie ondersoek. 'n Verkennende studie is onderneem om die behoeftes van ouers wat kinders vanuit 'n ander kultuur aanneem vas te stel, asook om te bepaal watter vaardighede vir multikulturele-intervensie maatskaplike werkers nodig het om multikulturele aannemings suksesvol te fasiliteer. Die uiteindelike doel van die ondersoek was om riglyne vir maatskaplike werkers tydens multikulturele aannemings te formuleer. Die empiriese ondersoek was op ouers wat reeds kinders vanuit 'n ander kultuur aangeneem het gerig en beperk tot die Wes-Kaap. Die resultate van die empiriese ondersoek bevestig die navorser se aanname dat maatskaplike werkers vaardighede vir multikulturele-intervensie moet bemeester vir die fasilitering van suksesvolle multikulturele aannemings en dat 'n kulturele bewustheid onontbeerlik is. Op grond van die ondersoek en resultate, is aanbevelings vir 'n beleidsraamwerk ten opsigte van multikulturele aanneming geformuleer en riglyne en voorstelle vir sodanige uitvoering van multikulturele intervensie en aanneming neergelê. Die aanbevelings van hierdie ondersoek kan deur maatskaplike werkers en ouers wat betrokke is by multikulturele aannemings en deur ander welsynsorganisasies en maatskaplike werkers gebruik word.

Parenthood is a life goal for the majority of individuals and couples who have reached a certain life stage. For many couples parenthood is, however, not a reality through expected means. Statistics gathered, in an unpublished information document, by the Port Elizabeth Infertility and Wellness Clinic, it is estimated that 10 to 15% of all married couples in the region experience infertility. After failed infertility treatment, adoption is considered an option for many couples wishing to have children. The social worker plays an integral role in the assessment and preparation for adoption. However, there is no legislated preparation for the fertility treatment process as there is for adoption in South Africa, yet both processes are intended to result in parenthood shadowed by stressful circumstances for prospective parents. The study explored the experiences of couples who have transitioned from being diagnosed as infertile and have successfully adopted. The study was conducted from a qualitative research perspective and employed the exploratory-descriptive strategy of inquiry. Purposive sampling was applied and eight married couples participated in the study. The participants were sourced from a support and information network for adoptive families as well as referrals from social workers working within the adoption field. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by an independent interviewer with thematic analysis being used for data analysis. Trustworthiness constructs were taken into account to ensure reliability and rigour. The major findings revealed the distinctive experiences regarding fertility treatment, the experiences regarding adoption and suggestions from couples for couples facing similar situations as well as for professionals in practice. The study is viewed as significant in guiding professional services to couples, who are intending to achieve parenthood via adoption, by adding to the body of existing knowledge in adoption and medical social work.

Prior to the democratic elections of 1994, South Africa was daunted by legislation flooded with racial segregation. Adoption across racial lines is, because of South Africa’s racially segregated past, a relatively recent phenomenon in this country. The number of legal adoptions has increased dramatically, especially after its legalization in 1991. Parents may adopt across racial lines for an array of different reasons, from not being able to conceive a baby, to wanting to give a child the best opportunity in life. This study explored the experiences of white parents who have adopted black children, paying particular attention to how they deal with issues of “racial” identity. In-depth interviews were used to generate qualitative data pertaining to the parental perceptions of their motivation for, and experiences of adopting a child transracially in South Africa. The study aimed to explore their motivation for adopting and experiences, as well as issues relating to “racial” identity. Recommendations have been made to assist parents who are interested in adopting transracially. The report presents findings relating to the unique characteristics of the participants who have adopted transracially. These include adopters’ motivation and thought processes before taking the relevant steps to adopt transracially; the support that they have received from others in their decision to adopt transracially; communication patterns; their relevant concerns regarding the future of their adopted child; and issues pertaining to race, culture, heritage, prejudices and stereotypes. The findings suggest that parents were pragmatic, without regrets, in their views about adopting across racial lines. The parents’ motivations for adopting across racial lines were very similar to various perspectives, but were all due to the fact that they were unable to have biological children. Parents were aware of the child’s identity and cultural issues, which may be more perceptible in the future. Their perceptions, views and opinions, and the future concerns of their children were not unrealistic. Due to the children’s young age a follow-up study of these children should be considered.