Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate, through individual narratives, the conflicting voices in the ‘dialogical self’ of transracially adopting mothers. It is hypothesised that internalised voices from the family of origin are in conflict with the interracial voice of the new interracial family. The exchange or conflict between the voices is said to influence the transracially adopting mother’s experience and understanding of transracial adoption.
The literature review of chapter two comprises three subsections. The first undertakes a review of the different concepts of self and concludes with a study of the ‘dialogical self’ that arises out of the narrative process. The narrative approach in psychology is the focus of the second subsection and addresses issues relating to the role and nature of the narrative in organising human experience. This relates to the experience of transracial adoption that is reviewed in the third subsection.
Chapter three reviews the self – confrontation method used to investigate the conflicting voices within the dialogical self of each of the five participants in the study. This method is based on valuation theory and allows for an investigation of the self-narratives of the participants. The process of analysis is outlined and the ethical considerations discussed.
The results of this study are described and interpreted and conclusions are drawn in chapter four. The results confirm the hypothesis that voices of the family of origin do create internal conflict within transracially adopting mothers where the interracial voice is not adequately independent, distinct and internalised.
In chapter five the findings of chapter four are evaluated and recommendations proposed for consideration by adoption agencies.
Prof. Henning Viljoen