White Parents' Attitudes Towards Their Adopted Chinese Daughters' Ethnic Identity

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis qualitative study of 11 white families with adopted Chinese daughters found that 8 of the 11 white adoptive parents used “Chinese American” to describe their daughters' ethnic identity. Jewish adoptive parents additionally attached “Jewish” to their children's ethnic identity descriptions. Overall, parents reported that their perceptions of their adopted Chinese daughters were influenced by the dominant culture, the adoptive parents' own ethnicity, and their awareness of the difference between Chinese and American culture. In order to help themselves learn the Chinese culture and their daughters learn about their Chinese heritage, parents utilized a series of strategies, including communicating about adoption within the family, seeking surrogate agencies to fill the cultural gap, using support networks, learning about China on their own, and advocating for culturally sensitive schools. Being an outsider to the Chinese culture and feeling a lack of control regarding issues surrounding their children's ethnic identity and adoption background were two common dilemmas all parents in the study faced.