In 2003, there were 39,500 Chinese children living
in the US who were adopted from China. While 113
were adopted from 1989-1991, in 2002, 5,900 Chinese
children were adopted by US parents. Little is known
about the scientific, psychological, or social
issues surrounding the adopted children and their
parents. The study used a qualitative approach to
assess experiences of US parents who had adopted
Chinese children. In this
study, expected and unexpected results occurred.
Analysis of the interviews yielded six major themes:
1) Parents descriptions of their own childhood
family structure and childhood experiences; 2)
Parents expectations, prior to and during the
adoption experience, for the adoption to improve the
family unit; 3) Changes in the parents
relationships after the adoption; 4) The adoptive
parents expectations of the adopted child; 5) The
most challenging experiences of the adoptive
parents; and 6) the meaning of the adoption for the
parents.
in the US who were adopted from China. While 113
were adopted from 1989-1991, in 2002, 5,900 Chinese
children were adopted by US parents. Little is known
about the scientific, psychological, or social
issues surrounding the adopted children and their
parents. The study used a qualitative approach to
assess experiences of US parents who had adopted
Chinese children. In this
study, expected and unexpected results occurred.
Analysis of the interviews yielded six major themes:
1) Parents descriptions of their own childhood
family structure and childhood experiences; 2)
Parents expectations, prior to and during the
adoption experience, for the adoption to improve the
family unit; 3) Changes in the parents
relationships after the adoption; 4) The adoptive
parents expectations of the adopted child; 5) The
most challenging experiences of the adoptive
parents; and 6) the meaning of the adoption for the
parents.