Abstract
Child adoption is a challenging social process in Nigeria generally and more so in Igboland where the “bastards” syndrome is rife. The challenges range from individual, family and community socio-cultural behaviours towards inheritance to the complex ethno-religious behaviours. The study is a qualitative and explorative study to evaluate the concept of adoption, types of child adoption, reasons for child adoption, child adoption in Igboland and the socio religious implication of child adoption in Igboland. The Igbos’ have their own peculiar forms of customary behaviours, particular systems of social relationships and distinctive culture. The study is intended to evaluate how the socio-cultural and environmental (ethno-religious) factors affect the child adoptive process in Igboland The consequences of such effects on the adopted child’s behaviour and perception of family and the society towards the adopted children. The research shows that the major reasons behind Igbos adoption are infertility and untimely death. It is discovered that adopted children are not fully accepted in Igbo society because of traditions, cultural norms and values. The paper encourages creation of awareness, enlightment of the masses and enforcement of laws that protect adopted children in Igboland. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n13p705
Highlights
In Nigeria, socio cultural and environmental factor do tremendously affect the process of adoption
In terms of child adoption, the process is dependent on four major social perspectives namely, legal, religious, cultural and necessity
Social Implication: The following are the social implications of child adoption in Igbo land: 1. Osu Caste System: Osu caste system is where some people are restricted to certain events and things in the Igbo land
Summary
In Nigeria, socio cultural and environmental factor do tremendously affect the process of adoption. In terms of child adoption, the process is dependent on four major social perspectives namely, legal, religious, cultural and necessity. In the rural Igboland, the vast majority of the women work in agriculture, a tasking physical activity with very low income In addition these women perform the domestic chores like collection of water, gathering of fire woods, food processing, cooking and ensuring the survival of the household. Since marriage in Igboland is mainly for procreation, hardly can people marry for only companionship a childless woman can go to any length to get a child. A lot of assisted reproduction technologies are available to help childless couples; they include invitro fertilization, zygote intra fallopian transfer, Gamete intra fallopian transfer, sperm injection or Surrogacy and using gestational carriers These modern assisted reproductive technologies are expensive and cannot be afforded by many people. The process of child adoption involves three parties, the birth parents, the adoptee and the adoptive
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