Diverse Perceptions of Cross-Racial Adoption in South Africa

Abstract

This study explored the perceptions of stakeholders regarding the practice of cross-racial adoption (CRA) in East London, South Africa. Method: A qualitative research design was used. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions from 23 participants. The data were analyzed qualitatively, using thematic analysis. Results: The results show that there are mixed perceptions among the participants, with White participants more likely than participants of other racial groups to support the practice of the CRA. The findings also revealed that the practice of CRA is a controversial, yet an increasing phenomenon in which most Black children are being adopted by White parents. Conclusion: It is concluded that although the practice of CRA is an acceptable form of custody of children in need of care and protection, it is still an area that requires more attention from scholars and researchers. Pertinent recommendations have been made to various stakeholders. Keywords adoption, cross-racial adoption, child in need of care and protection, children's rights, parental care, adoptive parents

“I’ve Really Let Go of the Language Thing.”: Language Learning in Transracial Adoptive Families in South Africa

“…South Africa remains a racially divided country (Durrheim, 2017;Durrheim et al, 2011;Posel, 2015), and transracially adoptive families exist in a society where engaging with race with regard to transracial adoption presents significant challenges (Luyt & Swartz, 2022b;Durrheim et al, 2011). Given the racial disproportionality of children in need of alternative care in South Africa, a de facto acceptance of the need for transracial adoption exists (Luyt & Swartz, 2022b) despite it being contentious (Doubell, 2014;Moos & Mwaba, 2007;Tanga & Kausi, 2017). A reason for negative attitudes toward transracial adoption in South Africa rests on the assumption that being raised by white parents will sever the connection of Black African children to their culture and language (Mosikatsana, 1995(Mosikatsana, , 1997.…”

Documentary analysis of the legal and policy framework of transracial adoption in South Africa

“…The shortage of prospective Black African adoptive parents is well documented, whereas foster care, especially by extended family, is a more popular option (Gerrand, 2018; Gerrand & Nathane‐Taulela, 2015; Gerrand & Nkomo, 2020; Gerrand & Stevens, 2019; Gerrand & Warria, 2020). Transracial adoption remains controversial in South Africa (Luyt et al, 2022; Church, 1996; Moos & Mwaba, 2007; Mosikatsana, 1995, 1997; Tanga & Kausi, 2017) as it is internationally (Ali, 2014; Branco, 2022; Butler‐Sweet, 2011; Goldberg et al, 2022; Kennedy, 2003; Roorda, 2007; Fenster, 2002).…”

“…Transracial adoption remains controversial in South Africa (Luyt et al, 2022;Church, 1996;Moos & Mwaba, 2007;Mosikatsana, 1995Mosikatsana, , 1997Tanga & Kausi, 2017) as it is internationally (Ali, 2014;Branco, 2022;Butler-Sweet, 2011;Goldberg et al, 2022;Kennedy, 2003;Roorda, 2007;Fenster, 2002).…”

Transracial adoption practice in South Africa: The Western Cape as a case study

“…The South African research tends to focus on adoption in general (Harber, 1999; Mokomane & Rochat, 2010, 2012; Pieterse, 2019; Rochat et al, 2016). The limited research that has been conducted on TRA primarily focused on attitudes to the practice in the general population (Moos & Mwaba, 2007) and among social workers (Doubell, 2014; Tanga & Nyasha, 2017), and the opinions and experiences of adoptive parents (Breshears, 2018, 2021), particularly adoptive mothers (Oosthuizen, 2014; Oosthuizen & Greeff, 2020), and to a lesser extent adoptees (Bowen, 2017; Camara, 2014; Schroder, 2015) and no research exists that focuses on the birth parents' perspectives (Luyt et al, 2021). Attitudes of social workers towards TRA in particular indicates that social workers are in general positive towards the practice (Gishen, 1996; Tanga & Nyasha, 2017), especially for abandoned children (Doubell, 2014).…”