Intercountry Child Adoption : The Perspectives of African Immigrants in Sweden

Adopting children transracially has been contentious. Amongst the major themes in adoption debates in many countries and in an international context have been the priority given to national adoption over intercountry adoption, and the child's right to the preservation of his or her cultural and ethnic background. This book was written based on the views of African immigrants in Sweden with the objective of bringing out the meanings they create on the major themes involved to enrich the international adoption discourse and to inform policy formation. There were mixed opinions on various themes involved. Some of their perspectives were consistent with previous political discourses on adoptions and others were not. Contrary to international conventions, participants showed much relevance to intercountry adoption as against incountry adoption. However, there were predominant views in support of child adoption that is well regulated. The analysis and discussion should be useful to policy makers, social workers, international organisations, adoption organisations and individuals interested in transracial adoptions or adopting children from interracial communities.