Anatomy of the long‐waiting period of prospective adopters on the state corridor of child adoption: A necessity or a denial?

Abstract

Previous studies have revealed the prolonged stay of intending adopters while moving on the corridor of child adoption. However, little or nothing is known about the conceptions, causes, and effects of this delay on intending adopters. The study adopted structural functionalism as the theoretical model. Qualitative methods of data collection were employed. This comprised 22 in‐depth interviews with adoption officials and adopters, 10 key‐informant interviews, comprising five Orphanage managers, and five legal practitioners in three purposively selected states. The study revealed that poor management of intending adopters' application for adoption and adopters' preferences are the main causes of the delay. Delay, however, produced notable effects in circumventions and illegalities, marital disruptions, adopters' feelings of disappointments, and grievous health implications.