Intercountry adoption: Attitudes, needs, and beliefs of American parents who have adopted Chinese children.

摘要

The main purpose of this study was to explore the reasons, attitudes, beliefs, and needs of American parents who have adopted children from the People's Republic of China in the Tallahassee area of Florida. Face-to-face audio-taped interviews were used to gather comprehensive information from adoptive parents regarding their adoption experience. The sample of this study was drawn from the members on the mailing list of the Tallahassee Family With Asian Children organization. A total of 33 parents were interviewed in this study including 11 fathers, 15 mothers, and seven single mothers. Qualitative analyses were used to explore the patterns and themes.; The major reasons for adoption in this study included desire for a child, medical difficulties, wanting a family/starting a family, loving children, and wanting to be a mother. The reasons reported by participants for adopting from China included health issues, the fact that single mothers can adopt, the maternal age factor, that no birth parents would come after the child, influence of media, loving the Asian culture, and wanting a daughter.; Over one-third of participants expressed that paper work was either easy or very easy. Regarding the stress level during the period of waiting for referral, one-third of participants reported it was stressful to wait. The majority of participants reported the travel experience to China was pleasant. Over half of participants reported the overall adjustments to adoption were excellent. All participants stated that it was a priority for them to expose their children to Chinese culture.; The major themes reported by the participants regarding needs from the family were respect, love, support, personal time, and understanding. Regarding the needs from the friends, participants expressed the main themes which included support, social togetherness, acceptance, and understanding. The needs from the community reported by the participants in this study included acceptance, support, resources for cultural activities, understanding, and education.