Barriers to developing a child's cultural identity
- What are cultural identity barriers?
- Analee's story
- Activity 7 - Understanding the barriers to developing a child's understanding of their cultural identity
- Activity 8 - 20 questions: learning about the country you wish to adopt a child from
What are cultural identity barriers?
Research suggests that the following barriers should be considered by adoptive parents in developing their child's understanding and respect of their cultural identity:
- The attitude of others
- Your child's own attitude
- Your child's denial of their own culture
- Your child's expression of disrespect towards their birth family
- The complexity of the task for adoptive parents to develop the child's understanding and respect of their cultural and ethnic background.
- The time it takes to incorporate a child's cultural and ethnic background into the family.
Analee's story
I don't know when it was, but at some stage during my development, I developed a racist attitude towards my own biological kind. It pains me to write it, but it's true. After much soul searching I considered my racism must have come from being teased at primary school.
During the early years I grew up in a country school and I was the only Asian-looking child around. Children, being children, naturally used my distinct appearance as their weapon to verbally attack me. If I had been tall, I'm sure they would have teased me about that, but I looked different to them, and so that was their tool to tease me in that soul-destroying way that only children can.
So this derogatory experience, because I looked Asian, led me to believe it must be a bad thing to be of this nationality. In response I developed a mindset that being Asian was bad. Being Asian meant being a lesser person and not as worthwhile as non-Asians. Stupid, I know, but that's how I saw things. And I thought this was the reason why I tended to gravitate away from Asian people.
More recently, however, I realised that my negative racial attitude was probably not a direct result of those earlier experiences alone. I'm sure my experiences in those early years influenced my attitude, but after having delved deeper into myself, I believe my tendency to deny association with Asian culture results from my complete fear of the culture itself.
My lack of knowledge and experience with anything Asian has perhaps steered me completely in the opposite direction. My deep fear and confusion of what I don't belong to, but look like I should, has led me to ignore the whole cultural thing completely. I guess I am ashamed to have people think that I'm part of something that I am not, and embarrassed for people to assume that I am part of a culture I know nothing about. And it happens a lot.
People often ask me where I'm from. My automatic response is 'I was born in Vietnam, but I'm adopted'. I can never leave 'but I'm adopted' out of the statement. It always follows, without doubt, every time the question is posed. Panic rushes over me, every time, at the thought that someone might think that I am Asian by nurture.
Activity 7 - Understanding the barriers to developing a child's understanding of their cultural identity
In your learning journal, comment on the following questions:
- Do you think there are any other barriers in assisting an adopted child in understanding, respecting and acknowledging their cultural identity?
- How would you address these barriers as adoptive parents?
Activity 8 - Learning about the country you wish to adopt a child from
The following 20 questions are simply provided as a guide to assist you in gaining an understanding and knowledge of the country that you wish to adopt a child from. These questions are not intended to be inclusive, and do not reflect everything you need to know about the country.
In your learning journal, comment on the following questions:
- What is the size and population of the country?
- What are the traditions?
- What is the history of the country?
- What is the spoken language?
- Are there any social and political implications of language usage?
- What is the predominant religion?
- Are there any other religions?
- What are the most important religious ceremonies and celebrations?
- What foods are most popular and how are they prepared?
- What things are considered taboo?
- What is the usual dress for women and for men?
- How do people greet one another?
- What sports are popular?
- Are there any gender issues?
- Is the education system free and compulsory?
- Who are the country's national heroes and heroines?
- What is the general lifestyle?
- How is the country governed?
- Are there any significant national health problems?
- What kinds of public transport are used?
- Last updated
- 19 October 2007