Barnardos Post Adoption Service is delighted to invite Dr Anne Marie Shier to present the findings of her Doctoral research exploring the lived experiences of reunion for young adults who are adopted internationally to Ireland.
This presentation is aimed at both adoptive parents of intercountry adopted children and adults and intercountry adopted adults over the age of 18.
On Thursday 5th December from 7pm-9pm Anne Marie will talk through some of the learning from her unique and timely work documenting and analysing some of the themes in intercountry adoption reunions with a focus on the role of social media and technology.
Further Information
Reunion in intercountry adoption to Ireland is a relatively recent phenomenon, with the first cohort of intercountry adoptees to Ireland now reaching adulthood. This qualitative study examined how intercountry adoptees have reunions with their birth families online and in-person and how experiences of contact and reunion with their birth family contribute to their identity construction.
The findings demonstrate the transformative role of social media and technology on reunion in intercountry adoption. The findings also highlight the immersive embodied experiences of in-person contact with birth family which frequently involved staying with birth family and provided opportunities for and sharing family cultural rituals and routines. Challenges associated with the reunion including managing boundaries, financial expectations and accessing information are presented. The research findings demonstrate the importance of birth family contact and information for intercountry adoptees and the key role this plays in identity formation.
While this research highlights the significant role of social media technology in reunion, the findings emphasise the enduring importance of in-person contact.
Dr Anne Marie Shier is a social worker and lecturer in the department of social sciences, TU Dublin. Anne Marie worked as a social worker in adoption, foster care and community care. Anne Marie is a Rudd Adoption Research Scholar and a Fulbright scholar.
Facilitator :Andrew Walker