It’s a big problem, if the child has no family, no nothing, it is better to give them to the government

There is much coverage of the declining rates in adoption in South Africa, and the impact that long term institutional care has on abandoned children.

• There is much coverage of the declining rates in adoption in South Africa, and the impact that long term institutional care has on abandoned children.

• Although the implementation of the new Children’s Act is partially blamed, the most frequently cited challenge is that of the ‘cultural barriers’ associated with adoption.

• Cross race adoption is stated as being a contentious issue by the media, with many adoptive parents sharing experiences of ‘judgement’ and ‘discrimination’ from social workers, the Department of Social Development, and society at large.

• International adoption is also treated with a great deal of mistrust. Most of these concerns stem from a belief that the child will experience a “loss of cultural roots” and that their welfare will not be a priority in the receiving country (Pretoria News 09/12/2011).