CONSEQUÊNCIAS PSICOLÓGICAS EM CRIANÇAS QUE AGUARDAM ADOÇÃO
Abstract
Adoption in Brazil follows a slow process and is fraught with bureaucratic obstacles. Adoption still carries a social stigma mainly for children and adolescents who are about to be adopted. Even with an interest in adopting, it is common for couples to give preference to children with certain characteristics such as skin color, age and gender. In this way, many children are ignored and remain in the shelter until adulthood. The present study aimed to investigate the psychological consequences caused in children awaiting adoption in a shelter. Therefore, the research had a quantitative-qualitative approach, descriptive and field, using as instruments a semi-structured interview for children and adolescents and unsystematic observation. The results show that there is a great anxiety among the participants about adoption, especially those with advanced age, as well as an expectation for the future. It is very important to express the importance of the presence of psychologists in shelters, contributing to the psychological well-being of children and adolescents.
Keywords: Adoption, social stigma, children; teenager
