Abstract
This article explores the findings of a study on the role of the social worker in adoption with a focus on ethics, concentrating on the perspectives of adopted people, birth parents, and adoptive parents. Their reflections challenge policy attempts that are framed around “new beginnings” for children. The focus on hope in such policy projects fails to understand that hope inevitably coexists with anger and loss. The concept of ethical trespass, with its recognition of the inevitability of harm, is explored in terms of its possibilities for recognizing the lived realities for multiple stakeholders. The mitigation of ethical trespass requires social work practices that are characterized by humility, honesty, and reflexivity.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 165-172 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Child and Family Social Work |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 30 Jul 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2020 |
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Brid Featherstone
- Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences - Professor in Social Work
- School of Human and Health Sciences
- Just Futures Centre - Associate Director
- None in Three Centre for the Global Prevention of Gender-based Violence
Person: Academic