A Lonely Position. Misrecognition and Belonging Among International Adoptees in Norway

Abstract

In this article, we use the concepts of recognition and misrecognition to shed light on the subtle manifestation of othering and racism experienced by international adoptees in Norway. Our aim is to deepen understanding of identity formation and belonging among adoptees by examining recognition and misrecognition within two key contexts: encounters with strangers and interactions within the adoptive family. Strangers often perceive adoptees as immigrants or foreigners, failing to recognize their middle-class identity and their belonging to Norway. This misrecognition underscores the intertwined nature of physical appearance, class, and national belonging. Moreover, misrecognition of Norwegian identity not only symbolically separates adoptees from the nation, but also from their adoptive families, compounding the effects of misrecognition. Paradoxically, while family members unequivocally view adoptees as Norwegians, this recognition sometimes entails misrecognition of adoptees’ experiences with othering and racism in the external world, which can lead to a sense of alienation within the family. The dynamics of recognition and misrecognition, both externally and within the intimate sphere, can converge to isolate adoptees, placing them in a lonely position.