Sibling Relationships in Adoptive and Fostering Families: A Review of the International Research Literature

Abstract

This paper presents a review of the international research literature published since 2005 focusing specifically on sibling relationships in fostering and adoptive families. It presents an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding sibling relationships of fostered and adopted children as well as gaps and limitations. The review concludes that while methodological advances are apparent in this body of work siblinghood is poorly conceptualised and there has been inadequate attention to the perspectives of children. The paper goes on to suggest that one possible source of insight comes from recent work undertaken within social anthropology and sociology and the application of this theoretical and methodological approach to the study of siblinghood in out-of-home care is considered.

Agency and its Constraints among Biological Children of Foster Carers

“…Wider fostering research confirms that the contributions of biological children are highly valued by foster parents and foster children (Jones, 2015), but rarely considered or acknowledged by foster care services (Targowska et al, 2015). Some biological children in our study were particularly frustrated by their inability to participate in, and influence, wider foster care policies and practices.…”

Sibling birth order, use of statutory measures and patterns of placement for children in public care: Implications for international child protection systems and research

“…Evidence relating to public care of abused and neglected siblings has been building over the last two decades. To date, this has mainly focused on the imperative to place lookedafter siblings together, where in a child's best interests, and on child outcomes where this is fully, partially or not achieved (see recent reviews by Jones, 2016;McCormick, 2010;and Meakings, Sebba and Luke, 2017). The challenges associated with achieving co-residence of looked-after siblings have also been studied and have been found to include children coming into care at different times, experiencing multiple moves, being part of large sibling groups and age and gender differences (Shlonksy, Webster and Needell, 2003).…”

“…These files and the SCRA Case Management System (CMS) were then used to identify the siblings of the 50 'index' children. The task of defining and identifying a sibling relationship in the case of looked-after children can be complex (Jones, 2016;Lery, Shaw and Magruder, 2005). For the purposes of this study the definition was restricted to full and half biological siblings documented in children's records.…”

Vínculo fraterno e adoção: um estudo documental da trajetória de irmãos, da medida protetiva à reinserção familiar

“…Os referidos achados deram consistência aos resultados sobre estabilidade de colocação, bem-estar e ajuste encontrados anteriormente por Hegar, Leathers e Tarren-Sweeney e Hazell, todos datados do ano de 2005. Outrossim, fazem alusão a estudos que tratam de uma série de condições 47 que parecem atuar no desenvolvimento, manutenção e qualidade 48 das relações de irmãos em sua pluralidade de arranjo 49 (COSSAR;NEIL, 2013;JAMES et al, 2008;JONES, 2016; SAMEK; RUETER, 2011).…”

“…Nesse sentido, geralmente há aqueles pais adotivos que julgam o contato e a manutenção dos vínculos um recurso valioso e capaz de oferecer, a partir da visão compartilhada entre os irmãos, um olhar mais realístico e menos idealizado da família biológica, podendo um irmão mais velho atuar, inclusive, como a "memória" que ajudará seu filho a entender melhor sua vida (COSSAR; NEIL, 2013). Em contrapartida, há aqueles para os quais a perda do relacionamento entre irmãos não parece ser uma preocupação primária (JAMES et al, 2008;JONES, 2016) e, diferentemente dos descritos anteriormente, consideram a transmissão de informações sobre a família biológica um problema que apresenta desconforto e preocupação, chegando a exercer um controle ativo para limitar o contato, a fim de proteger a si mesmos e à criança de influências negativas e/ou experiências dolorosas. É digno de nota que essa atitude, entretanto, representou, para alguns parentes biológicos e filhos adotivos entrevistados por Cossar e Neil (2013), a negação de importantes conexões de parentesco.…”