Monday, November 9, 2009

NYT Article on Korean Adoptees and Their Search for Identity

Angry Asian Man posted yesterday about a New York Times article on Korean adoptees and some of their struggles with identity. Actually, the article is about a newly released report issued by a New York-based adoption research group. Focusing on the first generation of Korean adoptees, the report concluded that nearly 80 percent of respondents either considered themselves to be white or--at some point in their childhood--wanted to be white.

"Most Korean adoptees were raised in predominantly white neighborhoods and saw few, if any, people who looked like them," the article reads. "The report also found that the children were teased and experienced racial discrimination, often from teachers. And only a minority of the respondents said they felt welcomed by members of their own ethnic group.

"As a result, many of them have had trouble coming to terms with their racial and ethnic identities."

You can read the whole article here. And read Angry Asian Man's post about it here.

3 comments:

  1. Racial/Ethnic identity is certainly an interesting topic. When I had to make and appt for Chloe to be evaluated for speech I was asked what her ethnicity was. I was perplexed and answered that she was half white and half Chinese. I wonder how my daughters will see themselves someday and how they will identify themselves. While it doesn't matter to me, their obvious differences which point to their ethnicity might greatly impact their self-image and esteem. How do you feel about the issue Karen? I worry about the prejudices they will have to face someday.

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  2. Interesting. We're struggling with this identity issue now as well. I'm looking for ways to help Sean, but haven't found many. I'm waiting for approval into a Yahoo Group that discusses issues relating to this topic.

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  3. This is a big topic of discussion in adoption circles, as you can imagine. I am learning a lot--and have a lot to learn. I have been interested in this topic for years. When I was in college (in the early/mid '90s), I actually wrote a story about issues facing bi-racial students. Who knew? (Well, God knew ...)

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