Adoption after Bereavement

Abstract

This article by Eve Hopkirk explores a particular aspect of adoption practice: those who apply to adopt after the death of their birth child. These applications can prompt professional concern that such parents are seeking to ‘replace’ their deceased child through adoption. The author describes her own study which investigated the thinking on this subject of a range of key professionals in the adoption process. The study also examined the views of a small number of bereaved families who had successfully adopted. The themes raised by the adoption workers differed from the views and experiences related by the families. The paper challenges received wisdom about bereaved parents as prospective adopters and children who could be suitably placed with them.