The Adoptive Parenting Process

In 2003, there were 39,500 Chinese children living in the US who were adopted from China. While 113 were adopted from 1989-1991, in 2002, 5,900 Chinese children were adopted by US parents. Little is known about the scientific, psychological, or social issues surrounding the adopted children and their parents. The study used a qualitative approach to assess experiences of US parents who had adopted Chinese children. In this study, expected and unexpected results occurred. Analysis of the interviews yielded six major themes: 1) Parents descriptions of their own childhood family structure and childhood experiences; 2) Parents expectations, prior to and during the adoption experience, for the adoption to improve the family unit; 3) Changes in the parents relationships after the adoption; 4) The adoptive parents expectations of the adopted child; 5) The most challenging experiences of the adoptive parents; and 6) the meaning of the adoption for the parents.