The African Orphan Crisis and International Adoption

Abstract


The plight of Africa's AIDS orphans has reached crisis proportions, and the international community is beginning to mobilize at the family, community, national, and international levels. Despite these encouraging efforts, the response is inadequate, and increased attention and action are needed. The authors suggest that international adoption, although a small and temporary solution, may fit within the framework being used as a global working model. Issues surrounding adoption, such as racism, racial and cultural identity development, waiting children in the U.S. public child welfare system, and the potential legal risks, are delineated. The African perspective toward adoption is presented, although the response varies and is not collectively defined. The authors conclude that although international adoptions should be used as a last-resort solution, and with tight regulations, the potential benefits to some children merit the opening of a dialogue on the topic.



Jini L. Roby Stacey A. Shaw | source: National Association of Social Workers 518 |
Categories: Protection Care


Other articles

Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety and Their Co-Occurrence among Orphaned Children in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province

Although both short- and long-term psychological challenges, specifically depression and anxiety, have been reported among…

Read more

An enumeration of orphans and analysis of the problems and wishes of orphans: the case of Kariba, Zimbabwe

In southern Africa, HIV and AIDS accounts for the largest proportion of orphans. Very often the orphaned children become…

Read more

PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN AGED 0 – 6 YEARS

This relatively small action research project investigated safety nets with a focus on young children in three sites in…

Read more

A qualitative exploration of resilience in pre-adolescent AIDS orphans living in a residential care facility

This article presents the findings of a study among a small group of South African AIDS orphans living in a residential…

Read more