Outcome of adoptions: Have couples realised their dream?

By using a questionnaire and a qualitative research approach, 35 couples who adopted a baby over the period 1989 to 2003 were asked to comment on questions relating to issues such as experience of motherliness, fatherliness, acceptance by the extended family and wider community, and general psychosocial functioning of their children. The results indicate that the majority of parents have realized their dream of having a child and forming part of a well-functioning family. A matter of concern is the high prevalence of attention deficit disorder and reading problems among adopted children. Although the children receive therapy, this issue requires in-depth investigation.