‘Adoption is Kinda Hard and Kinda Cool’: Residential care children's views on adoption and preparation for adoption

IF 1.6 3区社会学 Q2 FAMILY STUDIES

Child & Family Social Work Pub Date : 2023-12-14 DOI:10.1111/cfs.13109

Isabel Fidalgo, Margarida R. Henriques

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Preparing children for adoption is one of the major goals of the child welfare system. Research on adoption preparation has mainly focused on the perspective of adults, and studies addressing the views of children eligible for adoption are meagre. This study aimed to contribute to filling this gap by exploring the child's perspective on adoption and preparation for adoption. Twenty children aged 9–13 years old (seven girls) and living in residential care institutions, participated in three semi-structured focus group interviews. Thematic analysis of the data revealed three major themes: understanding of adoption, challenges associated with adoption and preparation and other factors that facilitate adoption. The results suggest that children perceive adoption as an opportunity for a better life that involves challenges such as navigating ambivalence, distancing from biological parents and anticipated risks. Preparation for adoption is key to overcome the expected difficulties. We discussed these results considering the importance of prioritizing children's best interests and exploring practical applications of incorporating their perspectives in adoption preparation. Addressing the views of children eligible for adoption may contribute to promoting the quality of child-centred care in adoption preparation practices.

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领养有点难又有点酷"：寄宿照料儿童对收养和收养准备的看法

为收养儿童做准备是儿童福利制度的主要目标之一。有关收养准备工作的研究主要集中在成人的视角上，而针对符合收养条件的儿童的视角的研究却很少。本研究旨在通过探讨儿童对领养和领养准备工作的看法来填补这一空白。20 名年龄在 9-13 岁、生活在寄宿照料机构的儿童（7 名女孩）参加了三次半结构化焦点小组访谈。对数据的主题分析揭示了三大主题：对领养的理解、与领养相关的挑战和准备工作以及促进领养的其他因素。结果表明，儿童认为领养是过上更好生活的机会，但同时也面临着各种挑战，如克服矛盾心理、疏远亲生父母和预期风险。为收养做准备是克服预期困难的关键。我们在讨论这些结果时，考虑到了优先考虑儿童最大利益的重要性，并探讨了将儿童的观点纳入收养准备工作的实际应用。考虑符合收养条件的儿童的观点可能有助于在收养准备工作中提高以儿童为中心的照料质量。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Child & Family Social Work Multiple-

CiteScore

3.50

自引率

5.90%

发文量

期刊介绍： Child and Family Social Work provides a forum where researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and managers in the field of child and family social work exchange knowledge, increase understanding and develop notions of good practice. In its promotion of research and practice, which is both disciplined and articulate, the Journal is dedicated to advancing the wellbeing and welfare of children and their families throughout the world. Child and Family Social Work publishes original and distinguished contributions on matters of research, theory, policy and practice in the field of social work with children and their families. The Journal gives international definition to the discipline and practice of child and family social work.