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Racial Identity of Transracial African-American Adoptees: A Comparative Study of Adoptees in Caucasian Families and African-American Families

Buckner, Porsche J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1245383302

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Family Studies (Health and Human Services).
As interracial adoption emerged since the 1950's, there has been a huge controversy on it concerning the possibility of cultural conflicts between adopted children and adoptive families. Although research has examined how adoptive families have influenced adopted children's identity, there are still few comparative studies on African-American adoptees. This study will thus focus on Black children adopted by White families compared to Black children adopted by Black families in order to understand how these children perceives their racial identity. It will aim at examining what the adoptive parents have taught their child about their native culture, how such experiences could be similar or different from one group to another, and how these have influenced in establishing their child identity. In order to do this study, interviews were conducted asking a White and Black mother different questions about their adoption experience regarding their child understands of their racial identity. The results suggested that the mother has the largest influence on a child developing their racial identity by what they allow their child to come in contact with. Outside influences that the child comes in contact place a major emphasis on the child's cultural awareness. Additionally, when an adoptive mother informs their adopted child about their racial identity, they are more satisfied with being in a family with a different racial background.
Lena Lee, PhD (Committee Chair)
Margaret Manoogian, PhD (Committee Co-Chair)
Joan Weston, PhD (Committee Member)
130 p.
Social Work
racial identity; adoption

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Buckner, P. J. (2009). Racial Identity of Transracial African-American Adoptees: A Comparative Study of Adoptees in Caucasian Families and African-American Families [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1245383302

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Buckner, Porsche. Racial Identity of Transracial African-American Adoptees: A Comparative Study of Adoptees in Caucasian Families and African-American Families. 2009. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1245383302.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Buckner, Porsche. "Racial Identity of Transracial African-American Adoptees: A Comparative Study of Adoptees in Caucasian Families and African-American Families." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1245383302

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1245383302
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© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.