“Bada dem i deras ursprung” En antropologisk studie om adoptionen och bakgrundens betydelse för adoptivföräldrars föräldraskap

Abstract

This study aims to examine the perspectives of seven Swedish adults who have become parents through international adoption, focusing on their perception of their children’s background and how these perceptions are reflected in how they resonate and motivate their parenting practice. The study draws on the theoretical frameworks of parenting as well as communicative openness, racial-awareness, racial-navigation and the concept of natural kinship. Data was gathered by using ethnographic methods such as informal and semi-structured interviews, participant observations and a focus group. The findings indicate that the parents emphasize affirming their children’s background. The analysis reveals that the parents actively seek to have open and transparent communication about their children’s background. It is also shown that the parents value the biological and naturalistic connections that tie their children to their origin. The parents also acknowledged the impact of racialization on their children, which led them to engage in discussions about race. This was done in order to teach the children how to cope with racialization, racism and being perceived as non-Swedish.