The unique experiences of Maori adoptive mothers in the 'closed stranger' adoption system : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa/New Zealand
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Date
2009
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Massey University
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Abstract
'Closed stranger' adoption in Aotearoa / New Zealand from approximately 1940 to 1990
involved the practice of a complete break between the birth mother and her child and the legal
transfer of the child to adoptive parents. In Aotearoa / New Zealand between 1940 and 1990,
108,899 adoptions took place, and most consisted of ‘closed stranger’ adoptions. These
adoptions have caused much joy as well as some heartache for parties involved in the
experience namely, birth mothers, adoptees and adoptive mothers and their whānau. This
thesis reports original research which aims to investigate the unique experiences of Māori
adoptive mothers in the 'closed stranger' adoption period and enable the impact of legal
adoption on these Māori women who have not previously warranted research, to be valued.
A qualitative methodology, Māori-centred research and unstructured kanohi ki te kanohi (face
to face) interviews were utilized to gather data from six Māori adoptive mothers. The
intention of Māori centred research as its name suggests, is to locate Māori people and Māori
knowledge at the centre of the research action. A thematic analysis utilizing interpretative
phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used.
The unique experiences of Māori women legally adopting in the ‘closed stranger’ adoption
system were about whānau business, and grouped under that superordinate theme were
experiences of ‘not blood’, land succession, naming and caring for whānau. The stigma of
adoption resonated throughout the women’s narratives. As well, most of these Māori adoptive
mothers found that they experienced ‘closed stranger’ adoption as a ‘rollercoaster of
emotions’.
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Keywords
Maori adoptive mothers, Closed stranger adoption, Maori women, New Zealand, Maori land succession, Whangai, Stigma, Adoption