The parenthood of adoptive mothers – a qualitative study about self experiences and motives of single adoptions

Abstract

The primary purpose of this essay is to study and describe what single adoptive mothers believe to be significant motives when considering adoption. This essay also describes how single adoptive mothers experience parenthood in relation to their expectations. The theoretical perspectives applied to analyse the empirical data are existentialism, the identity making process, and social constructionism. The method of this study is qualitative based on seven interviews. The material has been analysed by condensed meaning units and themes with a phenomenological approach. The results given from these interviews show that the main reason for adopting is the women’s longing for a child. In one case where a biological child has been involved prior to the adoption the satisfying need to give a sibling to the child has been an additional reason to adopt. The expectations prior to their parenthood have shown to be both positive and negative. The interviewed group has in the preliminary phase of parenthood expected a strenuous time along experiences which have felt more difficult or easier than expected in various situations. Where some expectations have been satisfied, for which the interviewed group had been prepared for, other expectations have been unfulfilled. It appears from the results that the woman’s point of view on parenthood has developed from being no where near feeling as a parent to considering herself and her child (-ren) as a complete and satisfying family/union. This progress is explained due to the context that the woman and the child have built around them and to whom they belong to and the implemented routines that the daily family life offers.