Children's Conception of Adoption: A Preliminary Investigation
- 1 June 1981
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Journal of Pediatric Psychology
- Vol. 6 (2) , 177-189
- https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/6.2.177
Abstract
Children in Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were interviewed about their knowledge of adoption. An open-ended interview format was used. Results indicated clear developmental trends in children's conceptions of the nature of the adoptive parent-child relationship, the nature of the adoption process, and the motivational basis underlying adoption. Results are discussed within a constructivistic perspective regarding children's acquisition of social knowledge. Implications of the findings for adoption policy and practice are noted.Keywords
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