'It's a big deal being given a person' : why people who experience infertility may choose not to adopt

Smeeton, JK; Ward, J

Abstract

This article explores why individuals and couples who experience infertility and undergo treatment
through new technologies do not subsequently go on to become parents via adoption. It
does this in three ways: a review of the literature; interviews with those affected; and an online
survey of views on adoption among people who have experienced infertility. It was found that
couples do consider adoption alongside infertility treatment but it is usually a fallback choice. If
adoption is to be perceived as an equal option, agencies need to offer support and advice at an
earlier stage than is usual. Couples who are emotionally exhausted by medical interventions for
their childlessness can then be helped off the infertility treadmill in order to become parents.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 9, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 1, 2017
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: May 8, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: May 8, 2017
• Journal: Adoption and Fostering
• Print ISSN: 0308-5759
• Electronic ISSN: 1740-469X
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 215-227
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0308575917705819
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0308575917705819
• Related Public URLs: http://journals.sagepub.com/home/aaf
• Additional Information: Funders : Family Care