The Early History of Children from Families Adopting Older Children

Abstract

Adoption, especially that of older children, still involves barriers and prejudices, being considered a challenge for children, their families and the State. The research presented in this article aimed to find out how families that adopt older children relate to the child's previous life history in the new family configuration. In methodological terms, the study was defined as qualitative and exploratory and had semi-structured interviews, submitted to a content analysis. The results were discussed using five analytical categories that addressed the families' experiences, feelings and conceptions about family life and their children's past history. The picture of suffering involved in situations of violation of children's rights, family destitution, institutionalization and the challenges present in the process of building a new family configuration were observed. Respondents understand the importance of welcoming, recognizing and dialoguing about the child's past history, both for the child's development and for the formation of family bonds, even if it is painful for everyone and that it is not always easy to implement. With a perspective of overcoming, no family understands the consequences of the past as irreparable for the future of children, recognizing themselves as vehicles for a new beginning for their children.