The chapter deals with discussion and
detailed interpretation of the finding of the data and analyzed with regards to
the research questions posed in this study.
This is done
under the following headings:
·
Discussion
of findings
·
Implication
for nursing
·
Summary
·
Conclusion
·
Summary
·
Suggestions
for further studies
DISCUSSION OF
FINDINGS
Research
question 1:
what is the attitudes of couples towards child adoption practices?
From the analysis of data in
figure 1 questionnaire item 1, 104(65%) of the respondents agreed that couples
do not consider adopted children as bonafide members of their families, 38(23%)
strongly agreed, 16(10%) disagreed while 4(2%) strongly disagreed. From the
same component bar chart (figure 1), questionnaire item 2,96(60%) of the
respondents agreed that couples have poor feelings towards child adoption,
38(24%) strongly agreed, 20 (12%) disagreed while 6(24%) strongly disagreed.
From that same component bar chart (fig.1),
questionnaire item3, 106 (66%) of the respondents agreed that couples prefer
adopting infants than older children, 30(19%) strongly agreed, 18(11%)
disagreed while 6(4%) strongly disagreed.
This is in line with what Drame
(2008) said that some families had to fake pregnancies to hide the truth of
adoption due to poor societal attitude towards it. Pennington (2004) further
stated that in developing countries, child adoption is carried out secretly in
order not to expose the fact that “the parents” are not the biological parents.
This further establishes the fact that couples have negative attitudes towards
child adoption practice.
Research
questions 2: How
does gender influence the attitudes of couple towards child adoption?
From the analysis of data in
figure 2, questionnaire item 4, 104(65%) of the respondents agreed that men
would rather remarry than go for child adoption, 44(28%) strongly agreed, 7(4%)
disagreed while 5(3%) strongly disagreed, from analysis of questionnaire item
5, (figure 2 which was to know if an individual’s gender
determines his acceptances of child adoption, 100(62%) strongly agreed, 12(8%) disagreed while 6(4%)
strongly determinant of his acceptance of child adoption. Thus gender plays a major role on the
influence of the attitudes of couples towards child adoption. This is in line with what Bharatiya, (2005)
said that men in developing countries would rather remark than go for child
adoption.
Research
Question 3: What are the
factors that influence the choice of adoption as a management option for
infertility?
As noted from the responses to
the questions asked to answer his question which were presented in (figure3). In questionnaire item 6, 42(26%) of the
respondents option for infertility depends on the cause of the infertility,
110(69%) strongly agreed, 5(3%) disagreed while 3(2%) strongly disagreed. Furthermore, from the analysis of questionnaire item 7, 32(20%) agreed,
115(27%) strongly agreed that spouse support for adoption makes the process of
adoption easier while 8(5%)
disagreed. In questionnaire item 8 form
the same component bar chart in figure 3, 107(6767%) of the respondents agreed,
38(24%) strongly agreed that the choice of adoption by infertile couples can be
helped by advice and information from health workers while 11(7%) disagreed and
k4(2%) strongly disagreed.
From this findings above, it was
found out that among the reasons why coupled go for child adoption could be as
a result of seeking adoption as a treatment option for their infertility. Especially when the probability of cure of
infertility is very slim, child adoption as a treatment option could be offered
early by the Health workers so that willing couples can in initiate the
processes. This findings are in line with what Keister, (2009) reported
that every couple has the desire
to have their own offspring but in
a situation where they can not, due to congenital or acquired disorder, they will resort to
adoption. This findings also
draws us to the report of
Steck, (1999) who sees adoption
as an alternative strategy in
the management of infertility
aimed at bringing succor to the affected couples.
Research question 4: what are
the factors tat hinders the
process of adoption?
From the analysis of
data in figure 4 questionnaire item 9, 98(61%) of the respondents agreed that some cultures do
not accept child adoption, 52(33%)
strongly agreed, 7(4%)
disagreed while 3 (3%) strongly
disagreed. Another question was
posed to find out that the financial
burden of child adoption is
not affordable by most adoptive couples . as analyzed in questionnaire item 10, 35(22%) of the respondents are of the positive view that
the financial burden of child
adoption is not affordable by
most couples while 110(69%) strongly agreed and the remaining 15(9%) are of the negative opinion. In questionnaire item 11, figure
4, it shows that 56(35%)
of the respondents agreed that the children and their offspring are often stigmatized in the
society while 104(65%) sternly agreed. Furthermore, questionnaire
item 12, was opined that the undue
delay process and protocol hinders couples from opting for adoption. From the analysis in figure
7,151(94%) of the respondents are of the
positive opinion that the undue delay process and protocol hinders couples from opting for adoption while 9(5%)
are of the negative opinion.
These findings above show that
some cultures do not accept child adoption. It also shows that financial
burdens of child adoption is not
affordable by most adoptive couples
and finally that these children are
often stigmatized in the society and this is in line with the report by
Araoye, (2003) which stated that there could be possibility of labeling the child “bastard” and likelihood of anti-social
– behaviours in the society.
IMPLICATION OF NURSING /MIDWIFERY
From the findings of this
research work, it was found out that men
have strong negative attitude towards
child adoption practices. Also that some culture frown at child
adoption.
This will pose a very big problem
to the midwife/counselor who may wish to suggest child
adoption as a means of solving infertility / childlessness in couple
The nurse/midwife therefore ha a great role
in creating awareness on child adoption as a means of solving the problem of infertility in marriage. Thus the work or awareness creation about child adoption will be focused more on the men folk.
SUMMARY
From the research study, it was found out that
child adoption is a legal process whereby a couple assume parental
responsibilities of a child who
is not their biological child. It is legal process bracket by the force of the
law and therefore must be legally
carried out.
In Nigeria and Africa as a whole where the presence of
children in the family is of immense value,
child adoption has been proved to ameliorate the suffering of woman who remained childless after
reproductive years. Child adoption is
therefore a practice that should be
supported and practiced.
It was also found out that
infertility is one of the major reasons why couples go for child adoption in Abakaliki Urban of Ebonyi State. Another reason was the
desire to even the sex of children in
the family where a particular sex dominates.
Gender was found out to be the major determinant of an individual’s acceptance of child adoption as men were
found to have strongly negative attitudes towards the practice. It was also found out the men would rather
remarry than go for child adoption.
Cultural belief is
also a determinant of the attitude
of couples towards child adoption as some culture like Yoruba’s culture do not
support child adoption practices
CONCLUSION
From the findings and discussions of this study, it was concluded that:
-
gender is
a major determinant of the attitude of couple towards child adoption as male spouse have negative attitude towards it and
thus would rather remarry than go for
child adoption
-
Infertility/childlessness
in marriage is a major reason whey couple go for child adoption, so therefore, the choice of
adoption as a management option for infertility depends on the cause of the
infertility .
-
Spouse
support for adoption makes the process of adoption easier
-
The
cultural belief on an individual
determines to an extent his
acceptance of family planning as some culture do not support child
adoption.
-
finally,
it was found out that the choice of adoption
by infertile couples can be
helped by advice and information from health workers.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the above, various
recommendations were made including;
1. Government
should organize seminars, workshops
or conferences for the public especially infertile couples on the concept of child adoption as a
alternative method of having the child of their own when it is obvious that they can not bear children.
The state
government, public and private health agencies and religious organization in Ebonyi State should
campaign against various misconceptions
held by people against child
adoption and government should also
subsidize the financial burden involve
in child adoption
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDIES
Further research
study should be carried out on: -
-
impact of gender on the acceptance of child adoption.
-
The
role of child adoption practices in solving infertility in marriage.
-
The
influence of culture on child adoption practices.
REFERENCES
Araoye, M.O. (2003). Epidemiology of infertility:
Social problems of the infertile couples. West Afr. J. Med; 22(2):190-6.
Bharatiya-Samaj, (2005). Child Adoption and
Fostering – A way for infertile couples. New York: Wiley.
Dellacara, F.A. Engel, M. and Norman, K.(2007).
International policy on Child Adoption and
Fostering. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy 27(5),2570.
Diri, B.(2003). Introduction to the Child Act – A new
Framework for the care and upbringing. London: Scarlett Press.
Drame, D. (2008). The impact of Infertile on
Couples. Retrieved December 7, 2008. From htt//www.NYscc.org.
Ezugwu F.O., Obi S.N. Onah HE. The Knowledge,
Attitude and Practice of Child Adoption among Infertile Nigeria Women. J Obstet Gynaecol 2002; 22(2):2116.
Fummilayo, O.O. and Kolawole, K.O. (2006). Draft
copy of Training Hand book or family planning clinical service provider.
Fertile Research Unit Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of
Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Hewett, P.C. (2001). The Adoption Triangle. New
York: Anchor. Lori Bau-Adoption of Children in Nigeria under the Child.doc.
Matter, M.(2000). Doctors for Children in Public and
Care.
London: British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering.
Fraster and Cooper, (2003). Myles Text Book for Midwives 14th
edition, Church Hill Living Stone Edinburg London New York. Nwalozie, G. (2003). Helping Childless Couples to
Adopt.
Retrieved December 7, 2008 from www.martinslibrary.com
Obi M.AO. (2005). Fundamentals of Research Methods
and Basic Statistics for the Social
Sciences Onitsha: Abbot Books Ltd.
Okonofua, F. (2003). Infertility in Sub-Saharan
Africa. Contemporary Obstetrics and Gynaecology for Developing Countries edited
by Friday Okonofua and Kunle Odunsi Publshed by Women” Health and Action
Research Centre, Benin City, 8:128-56.
Pennington, J.P. (2004). Letting Go and Holding on.
New York: The Chapman and Hall. Retrieved December 7, 21008. From times of India Indiatimes
Rustein S, Shah, IH (2005). Infecundity, Infertility
and Childlessness in Developing Countries. In: information and knowledge for
optional Health (INFO) Project USAID 2005. 4th July, 2005.
Steinberg, L.T (2005). Trasracially Adopted Children
Bill of Rights. New York State Citizens Coalition for Children incorporated.
Retrieved. December 7, 2008. From http//www.nysc.org.
Questionnaire
Dear Respondent,
Letter of Introduction
I am a student
midwife of the above named department conducting a research on “Attitudes of
Couples towards Child Adoption Practices in Abakaliki Urban of Ebonyi State”.
It would be
highly appreciated if you would kindly answer the questions contained in the
questionnaire attached. The purpose of this research is purely academics as all
information supplied by you would be treated with utmost confidentially.
Thanks for your
anticipated cooperation.
Yours
faithfully,
Ukwuome Esther
N.
Student Midwife
Section A:
Bio-Data
1.
Sex:
(a) Male (b)
Female
2.
Age:
(a) 25-45 years (b)45-65
years
Above 65
years
Educational
Qualification (a) FSLC (b)
SSCE
(c)
Graduate (d) post graduate
Section B
(Please indicate
to what extent you are agree or disagree to the following statement)
Key
SA – Strongly
agree A – Agree
D – Disagree SD
– Strongly disagree
s/n
|
AS
|
A
|
D
|
SD
|
|
1
|
Couples do not
consider adopted children as bonafide members of their families
|
AS
|
|||
2
|
Couples do not
consider adopted children as bonafide members of their families.
|
||||
3
|
Couples prefer
adopting infants than older children
|
||||
4
|
Men would
rather remarry than go for child adoption.
|
||||
5
|
Gender of an
individual is a strong determinant of the acceptance of child adoption.
|
||||
6
|
The choice of
adoption as a management option for infertility depends on the cause of the
infertility.
|
||||
7
|
Spouse support
for adoption makes the process of adoption easier.
|
||||
8
|
The choice of
adoption by infertile couples can be helped by advice and information from
Health workers.
|
||||
9
|
Some cultures
do not accept child adoption.
|
||||
10
|
the financial
burden of child adoption is not affordable by most adoptive couples.
|
||||
11
|
The children
and their offspring are often stigmatized in the society.
|
||||
12
|
The undue
delay process and protocols hinders couples from opting for adoption.
|