THE IMPACT OF CHILD ADOPTION: A CASE STUDY OF IKONO UYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

THE IMPACT OF CHILD ADOPTION: A CASE STUDY OF IKONO UYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

CHAPTER ONE

1.1   Background of the Study

        Child adoption is a socially sanctioned practice which has fast become an integral parcel of human social activity among the people of Ikono Uyo, in Uyo Local Government Area and the world at large. This practice has both positive and negative impacts on the adopted child, the adoptive parents and the society in general. This forms the background  of this study which aims at demonstrating the impacts of this practice and how the people perceive this practice.

Before the beginning of the seventeenth century, the institution of child adoption hardly existed in the very way and manner as we see it now.¹  However, the first law establishing this socially sanctioned relationship of parents and child  who are not biologically bonded had initial appearance in the code of Hammurabi drafted by the Babylonians around 2285 BC, which strongly provided that “if a man has taken a young child from his father to sonship and has reared him up to maturity, no one has any claim against the nursling.²

Similarly, adoption was also practised in Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Middle East, etc. Perhaps, child adoption norms and practice differs significantly among societies and in the response of the society towards different dimensions of change.³

This research therefore sets to critically unearth the social issue of child adoption, the impacts of this practice, investigation further into its causes and implications, not undermining the public perception associated with this practice.

1.2   Statement of Problem 

        The issue of childlessness and looking for an alternative means to be called parents through child adoption forms the major problem of this work.

In Nigeria and indeed African continent, in which Ikono Uyo people are dwellers, children are the hallmark and fundamental concentration of any marriage, as a focal point of every marriage, a child is essential traditional reason for marriage, but sometimes this traditional expectations are defeated by the issue of childlessness.⁴ Childlessness has accounted for several issue of marriage divorce and still counting, bearing in mind the negative social inclination, impressions and mixed feelings associated with barrenness and child adoption.⁵

This study sets out to answer the following questions: why do people engage in adoption? What are the things that constitute life-long issues in adoption? What are the implications of child adoption? What are the public perceptions about child adoption practice?

1.3   Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research is as follows:

• To investigate the social issues associated with child adoption
• Identify the various typologies and causes of child adoption
• To assess the consequence of child adoption on both the adoptive child and the adoptive parents.
• Investigate the perception of the general public about the practice of child adoption.
• To make possible recommendations based on the findings to eliminate the difficulties associated with the practice.

1.4   Scope and Limited of the Study

        This study focuses on the impact of child adoption in Ikono Uyo, in Uyo Local Government Area. The study of child adoption is a very complex research due to the societal perception of the practice in the area of focus.

In the course of the study, the researcher encountered some difficulties and challenges. Firstly, financial constraint posed a major challenge to the study as the researcher being a full time student was unable to afford the cost of transportation round the study area, and other expenses associated with the research, especially the procurement of research materials.

Secondly, the fear by some informants and respondents that their responses would expose their long kept secrets and bring shame and mockery on them.

Thirdly, the thin layer of available literature on the topic all posed a thread to the research. But all these challenges were carefully managed to make the research meet on acceptable standard that makes it worth the stress.

1.5   Significance Of The Study

The research will be helpful especially to the policy makers, government, general public, students and researchers in the following ways;

• To The Policy Maker: The result of this study will enrich their understanding and give them the nitty-gritty information about child adoption, which will guide and help them know how to tackle the problems of adoption.
• To Government: this research will be of immense benefit to the government to understanding the incidences of child adoption and the variegations social issues associated with the practice and as such provide them with a glimpse of relevant information framework that would help their policy formulation which will address the attendant problems of child adoption.
• To The General Public: This study will re-orient the general public and re-direct their perception and attitudes towards adoption, while giving them the picture of non-dividing line between biological and adopted children.