Abstract
Before the significant number of older children and adolescents available for adoption in the National Adoption Register, and considering age as both a restriction factor and an obstacle, rooted beliefs concerning late adoption must be demystified. In this scenario, this study aimed to understand the psychological and behavioral features of children and their adopting parents during the adjustment period soon after adoption, besides analyzing parents’ attitudes toward obstacles in light of the necessary preparation on the part of couples intending to adopt. Based on psychoanalytical principles, this study first sets the theoretical foundations of late adoption and its adjustment phases to reach a comprehensive understanding of the issue. To collect data and relate them to the underlying theory, a field research was conducted with two adopting couples in the adjustment period, which ranges from six months to a year. The results indicate the adjustment phases and psychological features underlying this process, besides stressing the importance of parents who intend to adopt for searching for information on the issue and preparing themselves for an affective adoption. Despite the difficulties in late-adoption adaptation - due to age, prejudices, myths, and the previous lives of children, - affection and mutual adoption can overcome any challenges that may arise. Moreover, if the late adoption process is adequately guided, it may present excellent results.
Keywords:
Late Adoption; Familiarity Phases; Psychoanalysis