MÉTODO: HISTORIA DE VIDA

In order to commence the application process, it was necessary for all prospective adopters to seek information from many different sources. Within the study, parents were asked to comment on how and where they had accessed such information and what sources had been most helpful. As stakeholders in the process, their suggestions were also sought for improvements in the service.

Table 3.1 gives details of the sources potential adopters used when seeking information. In most instances parents mentioned that they had received information from more than one source.

Table 3.1 Source of Information accessed prior to Intercountry Adoption Application

Source Frequency Percent of Sample

Other Adoptive Parents 134 74.4

IAA/ Adoption Support Groups 83 46.1

Internet 58 32.2

Health Board / Social Worker 56 31.1

Books / Magazines / Newspapers 54 30.0

Friends 50 27.8

Adoption Board 35 19.4

Fertility Clinic 14 17.8

Radio / TV 30 16.7

Relatives 19 10.6

People in Country of Choice 14 7.8

General Practitioner 13 7.2

The greatest and most useful source of help at the initial stage was other adoptive parents who were mentioned by 74% of the sample. Forty six percent said their most useful support came from support groups, either the International Adoption Association (IAA) or other support groups7_{, all of which are run by}

parents who have already adopted from outside Ireland. Twenty eight percent said they received assistance from friends with omany of these friends being people who had knowledge or experience of adoption (domestic or intercountry) themselves. Nearly 11% of parents identified family as having been helpful. Statutory agencies (Health Boards 31% and the Adoption Board 19%) were identified as agencies which had been consulted, though nearly 40% of parents referred to the fact that both of these agencies were often of “no assistance”. Forty six percent of parents said they had accessed useful information through the media, including literature and the internet.

Information gained from other adoptive parents and support groups was found to be of benefit because it was practical and real. Parents felt they were communicating with someone who had an understanding of what exactly they were asking:

Other adoptive parents, they understood the process, what was involved in applying and the practicalities (Parents who adopted from EE).

Other parents were most helpful; someone to give you light rather than theory (Parents who adopted from A).

Information meetings, which were run by the various support groups, were also seen to be particularly helpful; they were identified as a source from which a lot of information could be obtained simultaneously both about different countries and the availability of children for adoption. Some areas of the country seemed to be better served by regular meetings run for prospective parents and parents in these areas reported feeling less isolated in their quest for information. Some groups, who had members who were at different stages in the adoption process, were of particular assistance to those starting out:

IAA was helpful. We went to a lot of meetings. We met people who had very different experiences. It was helpful and it helped you decide. We met people in the same boat and swapped experiences (Parents who adopted from EE).

The Midland Adoption Group, people who are in that group are at all levels (Parents who adopted from EE).

The statutory agencies were given a mixed rating. A small number of people found the Health Boards and the Adoption Board helpful:

Health Board gave us starting information. They got us going. We felt the Health Board was very good, but we know others who were put off when told length of waiting lists (Parents who adopted from EE).

On the other hand a large number of people (40%) reported that they found the statutory agencies unable or unwilling to help, and their experience was that there was often a negative bias against intercountry adoption:

There was no information from the Adoption Board. They did not see it as their job to provide information (Parents who adopted from EE).

The Principal Social Worker put us off by saying the children wouldn’t be the same as children growing up in natural families (Parents who adopted from EE).

Overall, the ability to access comprehensive information in relation to intercountry adoption, especially specific information about different countries, was reported by parents as having been difficult and frustrating. Parents were asked therefore, for their own suggestions as to how best this kind of information might be disseminated. A number of proposals were put forward, with many parents suggesting that in order to make a service user friendly, there was a need for a mix of sources of information.

The majority of parents (78%) believed that it would be essential for information to come directly from other adoptive parents. They also called for the statutory agencies to have a fully informed, positive and up to date service. Specifically, they suggested:

• The creation of a website which has fully comprehensive and up to date information about all aspects of adopting from other countries into Ireland.

• Information meetings to be facilitated on a regular basis by adoptive parents’ support groups in local areas (such as in each Health Service Executive area). The purpose of these meetings would be to meet other adoptive parents and to gain up to date information on the realities of adopting from specific countries.

• Information meetings to be organised by the Health Service Executive to convey information in relation to the legal and other processes and procedures which are required for intercountry adoption.

• A telephone help-line, to be staffed by adoption professionals and adoptive parents conjointly, offering comprehensive information on intercountry adoption.

Two further suggestions in relation to the dissemination of information were made by a small number of parents: 1) that information on intercountry adoption be available at Fertility Clinics and GPs offices and 2) that the Irish government provide a service in the countries to which parents are travelling. Parents in this second category stated that they had been particularly concerned about coping with difficult conditions in some countries, including instances when they had been asked for bribes or when other illegal payments had been requested of them.

The International Adoption Association, which is run by parents who have adopted from many different countries, was cited by many adoptive parents as providing an essential service within the preparation process. It was found to be particularly useful to potential adopters who had not yet chosen the country from which to adopt. When potential adopters had come to a decision about the country, they mentioned organisations which were country specific as having been the most helpful in relation to both the global and minute details necessary for travelling. Many of these groups were also more locally rather than Dublin

based, and parents remarked that this proved particularly helpful. It was suggested by parents that these various organisations should be state funded so that they could expand and offer a greater variety of services.