The Imaginary Child in the Context of Waiting for Adoption

Abstract

The period prior to the arrival of the child in the adoptive family is permeated by expectations, including the imaginary about the child. The present study investigated the maternal representations about the imaginary child in the context of waiting for adoption. This is multiple case studies involving four women who were waiting in line for adoption. The data were analyzed through the Thematic Analysis and organized from three previously defined themes: (a) imaginary about physical characteristics (b) imaginary about emotional characteristics and (c) imaginary about the mother-child relationship. It was observed that in the first theme racial issues arose, while in the second it oscillated between the representation of a child suffered and/or idealized as calm. In the relationship with the child, the participants approached the need for adaptation to becoming an adoptive mother, despite this, their perspectives point to positive interactions. Recognizing the waiting period to adopt as part of the transition to parenting is essential for the emotional health of these families. This study empirically contributes to a better understanding of maternal representations of the imaginary child in this context of adoptive filiation.