Talking About Genetics: Community Perceptions of the Importance of Biological Inheritance for Determining Child Outcome

Abstract

As part of a study of community attitudes toward adoption, 82 Canadians responded to questions concerning the importance of biological inheritance for determining child outcome, whether it is important for a person to know a great deal about his or her biological background, and what particular things a person should know about his or her biological background. Substantial support existed for the need to know one's biological background, especially medical history. Reference to scientific studies, genes, and genetics were strongly associated with “very important” responses; but parenting and sociocultural family environment were viewed as mediating the influence of biological inheritance. Implications for adoption practice are considered.

KEYWORDS:

• child outcome
• biological inheritance
• adoption
• genetic discourse
• gender attitudes

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors wish to thank Ms. Olga Cannon for transcribing of interviews.

This study was supported by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Grant 410-97-1195). This research was approved by the McMaster University Ethics Review Board.

Notes

^a Rounded to nearest percent.