Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
Adoption as an alternative for African couples living with infertility : a pastoral approach
Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
Saved in:
| Other Authors: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Pretoria
2025
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613459871432704 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Dreyer, Yolanda |
| author_browse | Dreyer, Yolanda |
| author_facet | Dreyer, Yolanda |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/101486 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:29.578Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/101486 Adoption as an alternative for African couples living with infertility : a pastoral approach Dreyer, Yolanda hephjoeali@gmail.com Ali, Joseph Olufemi UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Adoption Infertility Pastoral approach Pastoral care Pastoral counselling African couples Pastoral theology Faith community Societal stigmatization Cultural biases Theology theses SDG-04 Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2024. In Africa, a marriage without children is considered ‘unfruitful and unsuccessful’ (Rasak and Oladipo 2017:44). Unfruitful marriages are usually not treated with kindness. It is perceived as a misfortune and a curse (Ademiluka 2021:2). Couples who fail to fulfil this ‘significant duty’ of raising children are exposed to scorn, ridicule, neglect and stigmatization. Adoption could be an alternative to childlessness. However, there are also cultural barriers with regard to adoption, including religious and cultural beliefs. This qualitative study investigates the acceptability of adoption in an African context through a narrative inquiry involving thirty participants – ten couples living with infertility and ten pastors. The aim is to highlight the relevant factors that may influence the ‘decision-making process’ of African Christian couples considering adoption. It further explores pastoral practices to come up with a ‘contextual pastoral response’ to the circumstances of childless couples in the African cultural environment who are living with infertility and are considering adoption. A thematic analysis led in the following meta-themes: (1) challenges of infertility, (2) perceptions of adoption, (3) decision to adopt, (4) acceptance for adoption, (5) management of the adoption process, and (6) promoting adoption. These results indicate that adoption is a viable alternative in many ways. However, not many African couples really consider it seriously. Concerns include the lack of kinship with the adopted child, worries about the child’s genetic background, stigmatization from society, judgment from the family, fear of adjustment issues, a fear of being deserted by their children in their last years, and worries about their ability to love an adopted child. Factors that influence the acceptance of adoption included positive personal experiences, exposure to positive cases of adoption, education with regard to matters of adoption, the emotional relief having a child could bring, the validation of the adoption by the family and faith community, and positive societal attitudes. The study found that pastors and faith communities can actively reduce the stigmatization surrounding adoption and enhance public awareness, fostering a more informed and supportive environment for all involved. This can be done by supporting couples who want to adopt. The public and the media can portray positive adoption stories. Religious leaders can facilitate education on matters of adoption and parenting. They can work actively to create v awareness. Faith communities can show their support by means of material, social and spiritual assistance for couples dealing with infertility and those who adopt a child. Practical Theology PhD (Practical Theology) Unrestricted Faculty of Theology and Religion SDG-04: Quality Education 2025-03-13T14:45:49Z 2025-03-13T14:45:49Z 2025-04 2024-09 Thesis * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/101486 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28588526.v1 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28588526.v1 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Adoption Infertility Pastoral approach Pastoral care Pastoral counselling African couples Pastoral theology Faith community Societal stigmatization Cultural biases Theology theses SDG-04 Adoption as an alternative for African couples living with infertility : a pastoral approach |
| title | Adoption as an alternative for African couples living with infertility : a pastoral approach |
| title_full | Adoption as an alternative for African couples living with infertility : a pastoral approach |
| title_fullStr | Adoption as an alternative for African couples living with infertility : a pastoral approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adoption as an alternative for African couples living with infertility : a pastoral approach |
| title_short | Adoption as an alternative for African couples living with infertility : a pastoral approach |
| title_sort | adoption as an alternative for african couples living with infertility a pastoral approach |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Adoption Infertility Pastoral approach Pastoral care Pastoral counselling African couples Pastoral theology Faith community Societal stigmatization Cultural biases Theology theses SDG-04 |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/101486 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28588526.v1 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28588526.v1 |