Child Adoption and the Birth of One’s Biological Child: Exploration of the Cultural Belief in Rural Communities in Igbo Land, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the socio-cultural notion in some parts of Igbo land to the effect that adopting a child paves the way for the birth of the person’s biological child. Rural communities in Imo State were used as case study. The survey method was adopted for the research design. Questionnaire, in depth interview and focus group discussion were the instruments utilized in gathering primary data for the study. The result of the study indicates that majority of the respondents affirmed that child adoption paves way for the arrival of a couple’s biological child. Based on the findings, the study recommends that infertile couples should be encouraged to adopt children. It further recommends that couples who are medically fit and yet have delay in bearing children should be encouraged to relax and be less anxious about the situation.