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© British Association of Social Workers

Perspectives on ‘Race’ and Adoption: The Views of Student Social Workers

DEREK KIRTON1

Derek Kirton is Lecturer in Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Kent. He has worked as a social worker in foster care and adoption and been a memebr of an adoption panel.

1 Derek Kirton, Department of Social and Public Policy and Social Work, Darwin College. The University, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NY, UK. E-mail: d.kirtonukc{at}ac.uk

Summary

This article examines the views of 835 student social workers on race and adoption, focusing on support for transracial and same race adoption respectively. The two principal findings are first, one of great divergence of expressed views irrespective of background factors, and secondly, that, on balance, support for same race adoption is markedly stronger among minority ethnic student social workers than their white counterparts. Background data are used to analyse some of the influences which lie behind the views indicated, including those of social geography and the effects of teaching. Factor analysis identifies attitudes towards the nature and salience of ‘black identity’ as the most powerful indicator of overall perspectives on race and adoption. Finally, implications of the study's findings are discussed in the light of ongoing controversy regarding policy and practice in the family placement of minority ethnic children.


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