Public Perceptions, Beliefs and Experiences of Fostering and Adoption: A National Qualitative Study in South Africa.

Tamsen J Rochat,Zitha Mokomane,Joanie Mitchell,The Directorate

doi:10.1111/chso.12122

Abstract

In South Africa, rates of adoption remain low while the number of fostered children continually rises. Little is known about the public perceptions, beliefs and experiences that inform decisions to either foster or adopt in South Africa. This qualitative research explored these issues among a national sample of childless adults, biological parents, kin and non‐kin fostering parents and prospective and successful adopters. Fostering is driven predominantly by access to subsidies but is also informed by socio‐cultural beliefs. Low adoption rates are influenced by an absence of subsidies, poor access to quality adoptive services and a lack of information about adoption.

Highlights

The systemic effects of HIV and poverty result in many South African children losing parental care and requiring social assistance (Monasch and Boerma, 2004; Pequegnat and others, 2012)
This research was part of a larger study commissioned by the Directorate of Adoptions and International Social Services at the South African Department of Social Development (Mokomane and Rochat, 2011)
While focus group (FG) for all childcare groups were successfully constituted in Gauteng (South Africa’s economic hub with the highest population density), in other regions, sufficient numbers to constitute the adoptive parents and prospective adoptive parents groups proved a challenge, likely reflective of low levels of adoption across the country

Summary

Introduction

The systemic effects of HIV and poverty result in many South African children losing parental care and requiring social assistance (Monasch and Boerma, 2004; Pequegnat and others, 2012). Both orphaning and abandonment are on the increase (Meintjes and others, 2009), particulary in rural provinces where services are sparse (de Villiers and Giese, 2008). For HIV-infected or affected and abandoned or abused children whose families are unwilling or unsuitable to care for them, adoption likely has considerable benefits over residential care

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Discussion

Conclusion