| Describing the experience of becoming an adoptive mother to a foreign-born child was the purpose of this qualitative heuristic research investigation. This study supports and extends the research of Daly (1988) and Smith and Sherwen (1984), pertaining to adoptive parenthood.; Seven Caucasian, married, infertile women were the co-researchers. All participants were clients of Americans for International Aid and Adoption (AIAA), an intercountry adoption agency, who had adopted Korean infants. Each collaborator was interviewed, using the long interview. Interviews focused on subjective recall of social-emotional processes and adjustments during the time period from application for adoption to finalization of adoption.; Data analysis yielded three time periods that structure the experience: (1) Before entry of adopted children, co-researchers accepted infertility and pursued adoption as an alternative means to motherhood. All were open to adoption and engaged in the formal procedures of AIAA, made mental and physical preparations for placement, and received referral pictures and information. (2) When adopted children arrived, participants experienced the joy of achieving motherhood and the contrasting reality shock of "instant parenthood." (3) During the placement-finalization period, becoming an adoptive mother required major life adjustments. Relationships with spouse, friends, family members, and the general public were altered. Forming a relationship with the adopted child and changes in work or career were also characteristic of this period. Data synthesis revealed that at the core of the experience was a transformation of identity, from being an infertile, childless woman, to becoming a new mother.; Societal, clinical, and educational implications of the findings were discussed and several suggestions were outlined for additional study and research. |
