Beyond Blood: Informal Adoption and Family Dynamics in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Examining the social, traditional, and family values associated with informal adoption

Authors

Elizabeth Greenberg, SIT Study AbroadFollow

Home Institution

Colby College

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Program Name

Cameroon: Development and Social Change

Abstract

Although formal adoption exists in Cameroon, it is governed by colonial systems that directly contrast with the values and traditions of the citizens the laws are meant to protect. For this reason, informal adoption is the most prominent method of child circulation. This informal movement of children occurs for various reasons, many of which reflect the sociocultural context in which the children live. The intention of this study was to determine how adoption processes demonstrate Cameroonian notions of family, how individuals perceive the concept of family, and how informal adoption impacts family dynamics. Informal observations and interviews informed the conclusion that the process of informal adoption is deliberate and based on what participants call the “African values” of tradition and mutual aid. The acceptance of an informally adopted child into an adoptive household, despite its challenges, demonstrates the social nature of families.

Disciplines

African Studies | Community-Based Research | Family Law | Family, Life Course, and Society

Recommended Citation

Greenberg, Elizabeth, "Beyond Blood: Informal Adoption and Family Dynamics in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Examining the social, traditional, and family values associated with informal adoption" (2024). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 3788.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/3788