What they thought then and how they think now: A qualitative exploration of the lived experience of adult adoptees of closed childhood adoptions and their significant relationships

Outerbridge, Jana

Abstract

Abstract

This study explored the lived experience of adoptees of closed adoptions and their experiences in significant relationships. Closed adoption is when biological and adoptive parents have no information about each other, the adopted child is legally not given contact with their biological family nor are they allowed access to original birth records and documents. Thematic analysis (TA) was used to analyse interviews with seven adult adoptees of closed adoption. The study reveals that adoptees and their adoptive parents have consciously and unconsciously been constructing a narrative and both become ‘adoption victims’ to a socially dominant discourse where biological parenting is the norm; and where they come to know they are not like others; which results in a parallel and sometimes shared experience of shame. Adoptees were also co-constructing narratives with the law and others they encountered making it difficult for there to be one truth about how adoptees experience adoption. This led me to adopting a social constructionist ontology that allows for the rejection of one single truth and acceptance of multiple truths. Adoptees were making calculated decisions about how they will behave with others to avoid alienation and ensure minimal attention is placed on the fact that their family structure is non-traditional. For subsequent later life significant intimate relationships, the adoptees partner will contribute to this two-way relationship influencing how the adoptee will feel. With the complex power closed adoption has on adoptees relationships, it is seen as a significant formative influence for how adoptees respond in intimate relationships.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Keywords: Closed adoption, closed adoptees, adoptive parents, fantasy, adoption victims
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1491199
• Related Public URLs: http://whattheythoughtthenandhowtheythinknow
• Award Date: Aug 7, 2018