“Siblings must stick together”: Chilean parents’ perspectives on sibling group adoption and post-adoption contact

Abstract

ABSTRACT The inseparability of siblings is a key child rights principle, however, many children adopted from care are separated from siblings. Through a self-administered survey, we examined Chilean adoptive parents’ perspectives on sibling group adoption and post-adoption sibling contact. We examined types and frequency of contact and a thematic analysis approach was used to analyze open-ended responses. Although most adoptive parents favored keeping siblings together, few had initiated post-adoption sibling contact. Barriers included misinformation, professional discouragement, questioning developmental appropriateness, and hesitancy to contact birth families. The implications for research and practice are explored.