Life-Changing Decisions: Exploring Proximal and Distal Motivations Behind Why American Parents Adopt Domestically or Internationally

Authors

  • Yu Zhang, M.S.

  • Victor W. Harris

  • David Diehl

  • Shani M. King

  • J.D.

  • Alison Schmeer

  • Kyra Speegle

Keywords:

parents, adoption motivations, domestic adoption, international adoption

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore American parents proximal and distal motivations for choosing domestic and international adoption from the distinctive viewpoint of adoptive parents own words and perspectives using the lenses of culture and social exchange theory The findings from this study revealed three primary factors that were found to influence adoptive parents motivations to choose domestic or international adoption 1 unique cultural influences on domestic and international adoptive parents adoption motivations 2 shared similarities and discrepant differences between adoptive parents motivations who adopted domestically or internationally and 3 perceived intrinsic and extrinsic costs and rewards that influenced parents adoption motivations A conceptual decision-making model is introduced to illustrate the complicated calculus behind American parents motivations to choose either domestic or international adoption Suggestions for adoption regulation adoption process and recruitment efforts for both domestic and international adoptions are discussed

How to Cite

Yu Zhang, M.S., Victor W. Harris, David Diehl, Shani M. King, J.D., Alison Schmeer, & Kyra Speegle. (2018). Life-Changing Decisions: Exploring Proximal and Distal Motivations Behind Why American Parents Adopt Domestically or Internationally. Global Journal of Human-Social Science, 18(H7), 1–14. Retrieved from https://socialscienceresearch.org/index.php/GJHSS/article/view/2670

Life-Changing Decisions: Exploring Proximal and Distal Motivations Behind Why  American Parents Adopt Domestically or Internationally

Published

2018-05-15