Transracially Adoptive Families in South Africa: Parental Experiences of Outsider reactions

Abstract

Since the adoption of the Child Care Act of 1991, many families in South Africa have been formed through transracial adoption, particularly through the placement of black children in white-parented homes. Though this family form has increased over the past two decades, very little research has been dedicated to understanding the experiences of these families in South African society. The current study explored these families’ interactions with outsiders through in-depth interviews with 35 parents who have adopted transracially across four South African provinces. Parents received a variety of comments and questions regarding their family identity, but overwhelmingly reported positive experiences. Parents described different response strategies, dependent on circumstance and level of intrusiveness. Overall, parents were willing to endure public attention and intrusion to raise awareness of adoption and transracial relationships in South Africa. This study begins the process of examining this unique family form in a changing society.

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