CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Durham e-Theses Durham E-Theses The Creation of Families: Christianity and Contemporary Adoption CHARLTON, SARAH,LOUISE How to cite: CHARLTON, SARAH,LOUISE (2009) The Creation of Families: Christianity and Contemporary Adoption, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/64/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk THE CREATION OF FAMILIES: CHRISTIANITY AND CONTEMPORARY ADOPTION Sarah L. Charlton Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University Doctor of Philosophy 2009 Thesis Word Count: 98641. This research is the product of my own work, and the work of others has been properly acknowledged throughout. THE CREATION OF FAMILIES: CHRISTIANITY AND CONTEMPORARY ADOPTION Sarah L. Charlton Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University ABSTRACT This thesis is a theological and practical reflection on the practice of adoption in contemporary Britain, as it affects Christian adoption agencies, Christian social workers, Christian parents and adopted children. The first three chapters set the background context to the research by examining the history, theology, legal and sociological context. This enables the contemporary situation to be established, particularly the potential for tension between the thinking of many Christians about constructing adoptive families and the open, liberal stance of the state and Local Authorities. This tension was heightened with the passing of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 that drew attention to radically different viewpoints within adoption work. The theological reflection methods employed were the pastoral cycle and canonical narrative, both of which were subordinate to an overall theology of engagement that enabled the interface between the Christian and non-Christian work in adoption to be investigated. The methodological approaches taken enabled quantitative and qualitative material to be combined. Three surveys were distributed: two to Christian groups, agencies and parents, involved in adoption work and one to adoption social workers. Secondly, telephone interviews were conducted. Data was also collected from a wide range of Internet websites. Fourthly, data was gathered from literature distributed by adoption agencies. A chapter (4) on Christian Adoption Agencies develops a theoretical agency that relates to the Church and the contemporary adoption system. Differences between historically different denominational emphases in adoption work and the present day reality is described. It continues to be possible for Christian adoption agencies to be relevant and specialised in this work. Central to all adoption work is the child: their future stability and happiness. This is examined by focussing upon the impact of the Christian faith on the potential for healing and wholeness for an adopted child (chapter 5). Three specific aspects of life are explored: an adopted child‟s spirituality, identity and nurture. This discussion naturally leads into a further discussion about prospective and actual adoptive parents: the manner in which the Christian faith has a bearing upon adoption before, during and after the adoption of a child (chapter 6). Finally, Christian people within and without adoption work have been challenged about the nature of the family in the adoptive context. „Families‟ that are accepted by the general population can be tolerated by some Christians yet discredited by others. The question is asked whether newly created adoptive families can have forms that are radically different from traditional patterns (chapter 7). This thesis concludes that Christians are making a contribution to adoption work that could be said to be distinctive. This said the Church should work to promote adoption of children with more confidence and debate less about adopters. This is a bold and contentious statement yet I contend that adoption could and should be a characterising motif of Christian family life. Table of Contents 1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 1 1.1 Scope and Argument ..................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Methods of Theological Engagement ......................................................................... 5 1.2.1 The Pastoral Cycle ......................................................................................... 5 1.2.2 Canonical Narrative Theology ..................................................................... 6 1.2.3 A Theology of Engagement ......................................................................... 7 1.3 Practical Research Methods ........................................................................................ 10 1.3.1 Surveys and Interviews ............................................................................... 10 1.3.2 Personal Engagement ................................................................................. 12 2 The Church’s Commitment to Adoption ........................................ 14 2.1 The History of Adoption and the Church ................................................................ 14 2.1.1 Adoption and the Early Church ................................................................ 14 2.1.2 Quasi-adoption in Medieval and Reformation Periods ......................... 19 2.1.3 The Birth of Adoption Agencies ............................................................... 23 2.2 A Theology of Adoption ............................................................................................. 28 2.2.1 A New Creation ........................................................................................... 29 2.2.2 A New Time and a New Love ................................................................... 33 2.2.3 A New Person .............................................................................................. 35 2.2.4 A New Task .................................................................................................. 39 2.3 Christianity and Adoption: Moving Forwards ......................................................... 42 3 Contemporary Adoption: Social Services and Legislation ............ 44 3.1 Twentieth Century Adoption History ....................................................................... 46 3.1.1 Post World War 1 ........................................................................................ 46 3.1.2 Developments After World War 2 ........................................................... 47 3.1.3 Local Authority Adoption Agencies ......................................................... 50 3.2 Social Work and Social Workers ................................................................................ 52 3.2.1 Governmental Policy .................................................................................. 53 3.2.2 Social Workers and Ethical Practice ......................................................... 56 3.2.3 Social Workers and Religion ...................................................................... 59 3.3 The Adoption and Children Act 2002 ...................................................................... 62 3.3.1 The Welfare of Children Being Adopted ................................................. 65 3.3.2 Issues of Adult Eligibility to Adopt Children ......................................... 66 3.4 Adoption in the Twenty-First Century: The Issues for Christians ....................... 67 4 Christian Adoption Agencies: Theory and Reality ........................ 69 4.1 Theological Patterns For Being a Christian Agency ............................................... 70 4.1.1 Roman Catholicism: The Application of Church Teaching .................. 70 4.1.2 The Church of England: A Serving Organisation .................................. 73 4.1.3 Methodism: Vocation ................................................................................. 77 4.1.4 A New Christian Adoption Agency: Modelling a Theology of Engagement ........................................................................................ 80 4.2 Contemporary Christian Adoption Agencies: An Analysis ................................... 86 4.2.1 Church Teaching ......................................................................................... 86 4.2.2 Dedicated Service ........................................................................................ 88 4.2.3 Promoting a Sense of Vocation ................................................................. 90 4.2.4 Spiritual and Funding Support .................................................................. 93 4.3 The Potential for Distinctiveness .............................................................................. 97 4.3.1 Distinctive