Nina Talmén

Special Skills in International Adoptive Parenting: Case Study of Five Finnish International Adoptive Parents Nina Talmén

The amount of international adoptions in Western countries is rising year by year. This book tries to answer the question: what kind of special skills these international adoptive parents feel they need in international adoptive parenting?This case study looks closely to the views and experiences of five Finnish international adoptive parents. It also presents many practical examples of the challenges these families have faced in their everyday life. The writer has combined Lee's (2003) cultural socialization theory that Lee has modulated particularly to international adoptive families, and Vonk's (2001) model she has developed from the basis of earlier adoption studies. This model presents the areas international adoptive parents need to focus and gain skills, knowledge and awareness in, so that they can develop their own cultural competence. The most significant results presented in this book are the four special skills the interviewed parents feel they need most in international adoptive parenting. This book also presents recommendations that are named Special Skills in International Adoptive Parenting.