The guide indicates, in the researcher’s view, that it was intended that the adoption process be standardised and regulated and that a consistent set of criteria and standards be used in all instances of adoption. In 2006, however, it is evident from empirical findings that the guide has not been adhered to. The researcher is of the opinion that a need exists for a revised version of ‘A guide to adoption practice’ in order to meet the current expectations of all parties who facilitate or enter into an adoption process.
The successful implementation of a revised and appropriate set of guidelines which could be adhered to and supported by a team of professionals would have the potential to address all of the challenges raised in the empirical findings.
3.11.CONCLUSION
In the researcher’s opinion there is information in the form of formal models of support and advice in literature that address almost every identified challenge in the empirical findings of this research. The only challenges which were not addressed by the literature that was reviewed were discussing a history of apartheid with cross racially adopted children, and managing the cross racially adopted child’s hair.
In the researcher’s view the definite presence of models of support in adoption agencies and advice in literature would undoubtedly alleviate a number of the uncertainties and anxieties of adoptive parents and better equip them to function optimally. In the researcher’s opinion adoption is a legal process facilitated by social services and the system therefore has an obligation to develop and ensure models of support for parents who cross racially adopt.
The researcher holds the opinion that sufficient literature exists on existing models of support and advice for a comprehensive South African model of support to be designed. The researcher further proffers that the existing models of support and advice would be appropriate to use in a South African context with only minor adjustments.
81 CHAPTER 4
SUMMARY,CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1.INTRODUCTION
The empirical findings presented in chapter 2 have shown that parents who cross racially adopt do experience challenges specific to cross racial adoption. The aim of this chapter is to revisit the proposed aims and objectives of the study and to establish if these were met in such a way that the research question was adequately answered. The researcher will also provide conclusions and recommendations on the research findings and make suggestions on future research.
4.2.AIM OF THE RESEARCH STUDY
The broad aim of the research study was to conduct applied, exploratory, descriptive research to establish challenges specific to cross racial adoption in Gauteng, South Africa.
The aim of the study was fulfilled by carrying out the following procedures. The researcher, through personal experience and through consultations with experts, established focus group questions that were formulated and combined in an unstructured discussion guide. The discussion guide was used in three different focus groups in order to collect qualitative empirical data to establish challenges specific to cross racial adoption in Gauteng, South Africa.
The empirical study was successful in identifying, exploring and describing challenges experienced by parents who cross racially adopt in Gauteng.
4.3.OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The researcher defined four key objectives for the research in order to meet the overall aim of the study:
• To conduct an empirical study by collecting data through the use of focus groups in order to explore challenges specific to cross racial adoptions.
The researcher, through snowball sampling, recruited 21 parents who had cross racially adopted and invited them to attend focus groups. In the focus groups the researcher explored what challenges parents who cross racially adopt experience in order to establish if there are challenges specific to cross racial adoption. The researcher utilised a discussion guide to facilitate the discussion (refer to appendix III). Data was collected by means of field notes and audio and video recording. This objective was achieved in that the identified challenges put forward by parents who had cross racially adopted were presented and explored in chapter 2.
• To conduct analysis in order to describe the findings of the empirical data
The researcher used Creswell’s (in de Vos, 2002:340) spiral of analysis to analyse the raw data which was presented and discussed in chapter 2. This objective was achieved through the fact that the analysed data described the challenges experienced by parents who cross racially adopt experience.
• To conduct a thorough literature review on available literature pertaining to cross racial adoption.
The researcher conducted a thorough literature review in chapter 3 on the challenges of adoption and cross racial adoption to support the empirical findings in chapter 2.
• To draw conclusions on the completion of the aforementioned objectives and to make recommendations for health professionals who assist families who cross racially adopt.
The fourth aim is discussed in this chapter, where the researcher will draw conclusions and make recommendations based on the empirical findings.
The aim and objectives set for this study were thus successfully achieved.
4.4.RESEARCH QUESTION
In light of the fact that the research was qualitative, exploratory and descriptive in nature, the following research question was formulated: What challenges specific to cross racial adoptions do adoptive parents face in Gauteng, South Africa?
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The research question was answered through the processes of collecting empirical evidence and sourcing literature which supported the empirical findings. The empirical findings, gathered through focus groups with respondents who had cross racially adopted, indicated that parents who cross racially adopt do experience challenges. The researcher reviewed the challenges identified by respondents in the context of extensive literature on same race adoption and cross racial adoption in other countries to further explore which challenges, if any, were unique to cross racial adoption in Gauteng.
The empirical findings supported by the literature that was reviewed indicate that while a number of the challenges that respondents experienced were general to adoption, certain challenges were specific to cross racial adoption.
The researcher was able to identify the following challenges through the research study.
THEME 1:THE DECISION TO ADOPT
1. Exploring the circumstances under which parents decide to adopt. 2. The choice to adopt cross racially
3. Choosing to adopt a younger or older child
THEME 2: THE ADOPTION PROCESS
1. Adoption agencies and the start of the adoption process 2. The role of agencies and organisations in the adoption process 3. The screening process
4. Information and guidance
THEME 3:ADJUSTING TO ADOPTION AND BECOMING AN INSTANT FAMILY
1. The adjustment period within the instant family 2. Attachment
THEME 4:SUPPORT AND ACCEPTANCE
1. The extended family 2. Friends
3. Colleagues
4. Community and Society
THEME 5:CURRENT CHALLENGES THAT RESPONDENTS EXPERIENCE
1. Living with racism
2. Answering questions from people 3. Religious identity
4. Acknowledging similarities and differences 5. Racial awareness
6. Identity formation 7. Behavioural challenges
8. The issue of teaching a child a second language 9. Management of hair
10. Inappropriate comments