Australian fathers and the adoption of their biological child: disenfranchisement, impact and life-long consequences

International adoption literature has revealed much about the impact of an adoption process on birth mothers and birth parents. However, published research insufficiently reflects separately on the experiences of birth fathers, a significantly marginalised and silent population. Grief similar to that of birth mothers associated with the adoption of a child experienced by birth fathers is complicated by feelings of disenfranchisement, shame, guilt, and stigma. This is also compounded by the continued psychological presence of the child in their lives. This paper reports on Australian birth fathers’ experiences of the adoption of their biological child. Interviews were conducted with twenty-six participants. An interpretivist model informed by a hermeneutic phenomenological approach enhanced the analysis of data from in-depth qualitative interviews and qualitative responses. Key findings highlighted the long- term permanent impact of the adoption events on birth fathers. Birth fathers’ exclusion, invisibility and disenfranchisement worsened their often-negative experiences. The lack of acknowledgement of their fatherhood on the birth certificate was a significant issue of dissatisfaction. Later-life contact and reunion were identified as issues with the potential to alleviate complicated grief and feelings of ambiguous loss. This research contributes helpful insights to assist governments, policy makers and practitioners in future adoption practices.