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

Luyt, Jean; Swartz, Leslie

doi:10.1111/chso.12592

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 55 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…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.…”

Section: Transracial Adoption In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Luyt

Swartz

2022

Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Service

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In South Africa, transracial adoption could result in the loss of birth language for the adopted child. Language is an important part of racial and cultural identity in South Africa. Not being able to speak a local African language causes Black African transracial adoptees to be judged by outsiders. Lack of fluency in an appropriate language limits social circles associated with biological family and makes reunion more complex. Many transracial adoptive parents wish to facilitate the learning of a local language for their adopted children or the entire transracial adoptive family. However, despite their best intentions, most transracial adoptive families fail in this endeavor. Reasons for this and recommendations for practice are discussed.

show abstract

Section: Transracial Adoption In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Luyt

Swartz

2022

Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Service

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For a systematic review of research on transracial adoption in South Africa since it was legalized, see Luyt et al (2022). Research into practice of adoption and transracial adoption in particular show that although transracial adoption is seen as the de facto primary option for children adopted by unrelated adults, practitioners experience many obstacles to implementation (Luyt & Swartz, 2022a, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Provision of adoption services was marked by a lack of resources and human capacity (Barberton, 2006; Jamieson et al, 2007; Proudlock & Jamieson, 2007) to implement relevant legislation and policies. Social workers, particularly in government, lacked expertise to implement adoption legislation (Department of Social Development, 2010a; Mokomane & Rochat, 2010; Rungani, 2017) which lead to inconsistent practice (Jackson, 2018; Luyt & Swartz, 2022a, 2023; Rochat et al, 2016), fragmented provision and inefficiencies in the bureaucratic process (Barberton, 2006; Berry et al, 2014; Jamieson, 2014; Louw, 2017; Mokomane & Rochat, 2010, 2012; Rochat et al, 2016), particularly for transracial adoption (Henwood, 2016; Mkhwanazi et al, 2018). Financial provision and psychosocial post‐placement services were inadequate (Department of Social Development, 2010a: 65; Mokomane & Rochat, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Luyt

Swartz

2023

Child & Family Social Work

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Transracial adoption was legalized in South Africa through legislative reform as South Africa moved into a post-apartheid era of non-racialism. Transracial adoption offers one option of placement for Black children in need of alternative care. However, adoption continues to face obstacles to implementation, including cultural obstacles which impact on placement of Black African children. This paper reports on adoption statistics on national adoption in the period 2013-2021 and a documentary analysis of the current legal and policy framework governing transracial adoption.We cover international instruments, local laws, including the Children's Act of 2005, and relevant policy documents designed to facilitate the implementation of adoption.We show that the law is supportive of transracial adoption, but that policy documents offer a somewhat contradictory stance to the practice. The lack of success of transracial adoption as a child protection strategy does not lie within the legal framework but may lie in the difficulties in interpreting and implementing the range of different policies by those implementing these policies. More research into the implementation practice of these bureaucrats is required to understand the underutilization of transracial adoption as a placement option for Black children in South Africa.

show abstract

Promoting and Protecting the Developing Self-identity of the Young, Transracially Adopted Child in South Africa

Heyns,

Moen,

Finestone

et al. 2024

Child Adolesc Soc Work J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose Transracial adoption (TRA), where parents from one race adopt a child from another race, usually occurs with Black children being adopted by White parents in South Africa. Method Using multiple case studies (seven children) and a qualitative research design, the self-identity (personal and social) of six- to ten-year-old TRA children was explored. Data were collected from the adoptive parents and teachers by means of semi-structured interviews and the Child Behaviour Checklist. Additionally, parents completed a questionnaire and a Likert-style response scale. Participating children were assessed by an independent psychologist using three projective techniques. The data generated were thematically analysed. Results There were six emergent themes, all conducive to healthy self-identity development by securing primary identity motivators of belonging and acceptance. The children exhibited advanced communicative skills and a novel approach to group membership, increasing their social accessibility and inclusion. A distinctive theme was a desire for a dedicated personal space and possessions symbolizing permanence in the family. The universal adoptive elements of loss and rejection was confirmed, possibly more prevalent due to an observable adoptive status and physical dissimilarity from the adoptive family. Intentional parenting promoting healthy self-identity was apparent. Lastly, the importance of placing the children in an accommodating and sensitive school environment was noted. Discussion While not a comparative study, and with only seven children, it appears that these TRA children, with the acquisition of positive social skills and a sensitive and purposeful home and school environment, possessed the building blocks necessary to nurture a healthy self-identity.

show abstract

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

Abstract: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cited by 4 publications

References 55 publications

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

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

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

Promoting and Protecting the Developing Self-identity of the Young, Transracially Adopted Child in South Africa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About