Abstract:
This study was conducted to investigate the practices, opportunities and challenges of domestic
adoption in Adama city. Qualitative research method was used. In depth interview, key informant
interviews and document review were employed to collect data from first hand informants. A total
number of twenty five (25) informants were interviewed and participated in the study in there
convenient place and time. These include six (6) adoptive parents in the case of in depth
interview, thirteen (13) individuals from community member and six (6) key informants from
three adoption agencies (one governmental and two nongovernmental agencies) were
interviewed. To interpret the data which is gathered through primary and secondary sources, I
use thematic analysis method. The data gathered revealed the perception of community members
about adoption, the enabling factors and challenges of domestic adoption before and after
adoption, how peoples perceive domestic adoption, the practices of adoption in Adama city and
ways of improving the practice of domestic adoption according to participants. As the finding of
the study, conditions in which parents can adopt a child without any payment, the current
government attention given to domestic adoption, norms and practice of Guddifachaa and other
factors such as the presence of adoption agencies or child care centers which facilitate domestic
adoption, the simplicity of the eligibility criteria by the government and the legal framework, the
presence of children who are in need of a caregiver and easy accessibility of child care centers
are some of the opportunities to adopt children domestically. On the other hand, fear of being
open, lack of support from family members, the tedious process of adoption, lack of transparency
in some adoption agencies, excluding disabled children, physical and psychological condition of
the adopted child and misconception about the issue of adoption in most of community members
are the factors raised in the study as a challenge which hinder the practice of domestic adoption.
Based on the results, the study provides some recommendations relevant for practitioners,
adoptive parents, government sector offices and academic institutions to promote domestic
adoption
