Conference
Chinese Adoptees in the U.S.: Americanizing Identity
Author
- James Spruill (Iowa State University)
Abstract
Asian children who are adopted usually assimilate into the white culture while leaving their true identity behind—not because they want to but because they grow up in that environment. Asian American children find it difficult to engage with other students who look like them. An Asian student who physically looks Asian might not be able to relate to another Asian student who has been raised by his/her biological parents. What can we tell the parents wanting to adopt before choosing to adopt an Asian child? We can remind them to keep their adopted children close to their native culture, traditions, clothing, language, food, and history.