Poster #174 - Parents’ Roles in Providing Deep Cultural Connection in Transracial Adoptive Families

• In Event: 3-159 - Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: PS 12 Section - Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Context

Integrative Statement

Transracial adoptive families are families in which adoptive parents and children do not share the same racial backgrounds. Adoption professionals have encouraged transracial adoptive parents to provide cultural socialization (CS)—learning about and facilitating a sense of connectedness to children’s birth culture (e.g., Baden, Treweeke, & Ahluwalia, 2012). Research showed that CS was related to positive development (e.g., Leslie, Smith, Hrapczynski, & Riley, 2013). However, recent studies revealed complexities in CS (e.g., Mohanty & Newhill, 2011; Quiroz, 2012). Using a cultural depth continuum, Zhang and Pinderhughes (in press) found that CS varied in depth: some parents provided CS at a deeper level, whereas other parents provided more superficial CS. This qualitative study further explored the depth variation in CS by examining parents’ reflections on their roles in providing CS.

Thirty (29 mothers) transracial adoptive parents participated in this qualitative study. Children were adopted internationally and domestically. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted. Interview questions included what CS activities parents provided; family discussions about race, ethnicity, and culture; parents’ thoughts about CS; and their views of adoptees’ birth culture. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Fourteen themes emerged, and the proposed poster discusses findings regarding parents’ roles. In depth analyses of parents’ reflections on their roles revealed that most parents considered CS important. However, ways in which adoptive parents approached CS, parents’ philosophies and actions regarding deep CS, and reflections on parent’s roles differed.

Parents’ approaches varied by how active a parent was in providing CS experiences. Parents who demonstrated a deep approach to CS not only initiated cultural activities, but also considered culture experiences non-negotiable for healthy identity development. Parents who took a less deep approach said they would be willing to provide cultural experiences should their children ask for it. This finding indicated that parents understood not asking for CS as a sign of healthy development. However, research indicated that adult transracial adoptees have wished they had more discussions about race and ethnicity as children (Kim, Reichwald, & Lee, 2013). Implications for this finding will be discussed in the poster.

Parents endorsed a variety of parenting philosophies. Some parents showed a “shared fate” mentality (Tuan & Shiao, 2011)—they took the CS journey together with the adoptee as a family. Some parents focused on making the adoptee feel normal about their adoption, racial and cultural backgrounds. Some parenting philosophies revolved around preparing adoptees for adoption and racial biases in society.

Parents also discussed their actions in providing deep CS. Some parents took the role of educator. They educated their children and their community about their children’s birth culture. Some parents took the role of protector. They were deliberate in preparing the adoptees for bias experiences. Some parents focused on empowering their children, instilling pride and comfort in their children.

The poster will provide examples of parents’ quotes, present variations in perceived parents’ roles, discuss implications of these variations, and make suggestions for researchers and practitioners.

Authors

• Xian Zhang, Tufts University
  Presenting Author

• Jessica A.K. Matthews, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ellen Pinderhughes, Tufts University
  Non-Presenting Author