Definitions, Use of Words, Abbreviations etc

Bonding & Attachment

These definitions are quoted from 'Talking to Young Children about Adoption' by Watkins & Fisher...

'Attachment' refers to the emotional connection developed over time between parent and child.

'Bonding' refers to a now widely challenged theory that there is a biologically determined period immediately after birth when mother and infant can form an intense attachment and that if they do not, the child's later behaviour can be powerfully affected.
 

Use of Words when discussing Parents

Most current literature on adoption suggests that certain words be used when discussing adoption, and that other words are avoided.
The following are some of the common suggestions when discussing parents ...

Use the words "birth parents" rather than "real parents" or "natural parents".

The reason being that to say children have "real parents" implies that their 'other parents' are "unreal".

Similarly, to say 'natural parents', implies that their 'other parents' are "unnatural".

Reference.

Use of Words when discussing Children

Most current literature on adoption suggests that certain words be used when discussing adoption, and that other words are avoided.
The following are some of the common suggestions when discussing children...

Use the words "biological children" rather than "real children" or "natural children" or "children of your/their own".

Reference

Use of Words when discussing cultural and ethnic backgrounds

Words like 'race', 'culture' and 'ethnicity' seem to be used interchangeably by many people, and although the definitions do cross over a bit, the words do refer to different things. An attempt at explaining is as follows...

 
Culture     noun     is about cultivation and relates to the physical, moral and social environment in which a person develops
             
Ethnicity     noun     has its origins in the word 'ethics' and relates to belief systems, moral conditioning, traditions, conventions, codes of behaviour etc.
             
Race     noun     has traditionally been thought of to distinguish people based on the physical characteristics of a person.  Although scientists have more recently questioned the idea of different races.
             
Ethnic     adjective     relating to people of the same ethnicity
             
Cultural     adjective     relating to culture
             
Racial     adjective     relating to race
             
Nationality     noun     the status of belonging to a country due to origin, birth or naturalisation.
             
Multicultural     adjective     interest in several cultures rather than only a mainstream culture

Abbreviations

The following are some abbreviations often found when Australians are discussing adoption.
If you have additions or corrections please contact the website editor.


AACASA     Australian African Children's Aid Support Association
       
ACC     Australians Caring for Children
       
ADOC     Adoption Triangle Research Centre (ADOC is from the Dutch words)
       
AFC     Australian Families for Children
       
AICAN     Australian Inter-Country Adoption Network
       
ASIAC     Australian Society of Intercountry Aid for Children
       
Ausiopians     A term frequently used to mean Australian-Ethiopians
       
DIMA     Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
       
DoCs     (NSW) Department of Community Services
       
ICASN     Inter-Country Adoption Support Network
       
NGO's     Non-Government Organisations
       
PARC     Post Adoption Research Centre
       
WFA     World Families Australia