Stories of Aboriginal Transracial Adoption

Abstract

Despite the significant number of transracial Aboriginal adoptions that have taken place in Canada, little research is available that addresses the psychological and psychosocial ramifications for the children involved. The scant literature that does exist raises concerns about the psychological impact of this type of adoption. The present research used narrative inquiry to bring greater understanding to the experiences of Aboriginal children raised in non Aboriginal families. The life stories of four Aboriginal adults who were adopted as children were gathered through audio - taped interviews. Seven “narrative threads” salient across the four participants’ life stories include: disconnection, passing, diversion, connection, surpassing, reconnection, and identity coherence.

The ethnic identity complexity of transculturally placed foster youth in the Netherlands

“…They seemed to have become aware of their ethnic backgrounds because they daily faced confrontations with members of their foster families due to their ethnic differences, which could have lead to a segregation strategy of foster youth. Other studies show that ethnic identity losses are experienced by transculturally placed foster youth (Barn, 2010;Moss, 2009;Nuttgens, 2013;Tyrell et al, 2019). Tyrell et al (2019) found a relationship between ethnic loss and childhood maltreatment and placement disruption.…”

“…The socialization messages that parents give to their children (whether directly or indirectly) regarding both the majority and minority ethnicity and culture (i.e., ethnic-cultural socialization) are important in the process of ethnic identity formation (Hughes et al, 2008;Lesane-Brown, 2006;Rivas-Drake, Umaña-Taylor, & Medina, 2017). This is also the case for transculturally placed ethnic minorities (Barn, 2010;DeBerry, Scarr, & Weinberg, 1996;Hrapczynski & Leslie, 2018;Moss, 2009;Nuttgens, 2013;Tyrell, Marcelo, Trang, & Yates, 2019;White et al, 2008).…”

“…Barn (2010) referred to "identity stripping," whereby foster youth from different ethnic backgrounds were confused about the ethnic or racial group to which they belonged (i.e., marginalization). Assimilation was an outcome of a study by Nuttgens (2013), which showed that foster youth with native Canadian backgrounds had distanced themselves from their ethnic roots and adjusted to their foster parents' ethnic backgrounds.…”

“…Youth in foster care are vulnerable and face challenges in constructing their identity (Goemans et al, 2016;Kools, 1997;Mitchell, 2016Mitchell, , 2017, and when they have an ethnic minority background and are transculturally placed, this may include their ethnic identity. Having a strong ethnic identity is important for the psychosocial wellbeing of ethnic minority youth (Sam & Berry, 2010), and studies indicate that foster youth can experience ethnic identity losses but can also develop a strong ethnic identity (Barn, 2010;Mitchell Dove & Powers, 2018;Moss, 2009;Nuttgens, 2013;Tyrell et al, 2019;White et al, 2008). However, to the best of our knowledge, no scientific research has been conducted thus far about the ethnic identity of transculturally placed foster youth in the Netherlands.…”

The ethnic identity of transracially placed foster children with an ethnic minority background: A systematic literature review

“…In many western European and northern American countries and Australia, children with ethnic minority backgrounds are overrepresented in the child welfare and foster care systems (Krakouer et al, 2018;Nuttgens, 2013;Padilla et al, 2010;Schick et al, 2016). Actual legislations are directed towards foster children's retainment of links with their ethnic minority backgrounds (Thoburn, 2010, p. 30).…”