The book Culture Keeping by Dr. Heather
Jacobson, a sociology professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, focuses
on how adoptive mothers of children from Russia and China incorporate the
culture and traditions found in these countries into their family’s lives in
the United States.
Transracial
adoption has been a recent topic of discussion, especially the ethics involved
in white parents adopting children whose race differs from their own. The
author spends a significant portion of the book discussing how these adoptive
families address the issues of differing race and culture. Recently we had a
discussion on whether or not it is truly ethical for white parents to raise a
child of a different race and potentially culture. I feel that the examples
that the author gives of families who have and continue to work to create a
bridge between the two cultures and discuss racial differences with their
children, are stand out examples proving that yes, indeed it can be done. Of
course the author provides instances of both parents and children, at times,
struggling with how to balance it all and make sure that they are doing what
they feel is best for their children. In
class we questioned the ethics of this issue, this book, however, proves that
it can be done and that these families and children are thriving in. what
outsiders may see as unique, family structures.
Another ethical issue that this book
brought up was the opinion of the child on culture keeping. The book lead me to
consider the point of view of the child who is learning about this culture that
is foreign to them, but is part of them as well. The author brings up a story
that had been told to her about transracially adopted children who asked their
parents to stop forcing their native culture on them because they did not want
to be different (Jacobsen, 99). I understand a parent’s motive in wanting them
to be comfortable in the fact that they are transracial adoptees, but at the
same time I could not help but to wonder if this was ethical. We in some sense
the parents violating their children’s right to autonomy, to make their own
choices about what they want to learn and how they want to fit in? I know that
there are families out there who enjoy integrating the two cultures together,
which is great and like the book points out many times beneficial, but is it
fair that from essentially day one these kids are being told that they are
different and made to embrace and engage in a culture they may want little to
do with? These are just some of the new ideas and perspectives this book has
lead me to consider.
--Mary S
Graded Blog Reply 7: Ricki H.
ReplyDeleteBecause of its complexity, transracial adoption could be an interesting research paper topic. If digging deeper into this subject sounds appealing, you could write about which ethical rights, principles, and theories are upheld and which ones are violated when transracial adoption takes place. It would be fascinating to look at a cost-benefit analysis of whose rights trump those of the other adoption triad members. For instance, if a birth mother has a mental illness or is known to use drugs, is it more important to respect her reproductive rights or for the child to be raised in a caring and nurturing environment? In my opinion, arguments for both sides can be made.
I read a book titled The Women Who Raised Me, which discussed how transracial adoption was looked down upon, and even considered illegal, in some states during the 1960s. At that time, white residents of the state of Maine could not adopt African American or mixed-raced children. Another possible research paper topic involves looking at how transracial adoption laws have evolved over the years. I wonder which states led the charge in legalizing transracial adoption and which ones, if any, put up the most resistance. When did transracial adoption become socially acceptable in society?
Ricki H.
Jill K. Blog Post Reply #7
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in reading Culture Keeping by Dr. Heather Jacobson because learning about international adoption intrigues me. The book I read for my book report discussed international adoption specifically between Guatemala and the United States. I would like to read this book because it talks about adopting children from Russia and China. I think it would be interesting to compare the experiences in this book to one I read. I would like to see if this book discusses the adoption process in Russia and China in detail and how it compares to other countries when it comes to international adoption. I agree with Mary that the child’s thoughts regarding their culture should be considered. The adoptive parents should be aware that the child might have difficulty with determining their identity. However, it is important for the child to realize that it is okay to decide on their own terms whether they want to be part of both cultures. The adoptive parents should encourage celebrating the child’s native culture as long as the child feels comfortable. Like Mary mentioned, the child should have the autonomy to determine whether or not he/she wants to learn about his/her native culture. If so, then learning about the culture should be at the child’s pace. This means the child should be able to decide when and the extent of learning about the culture. International adoption has many positive aspects behind it including this one in which the child is able to increase their worldview by learning about multiple cultures. One question I would ask Mary is if the book includes the child’s perspective as an adoptee in international adoption. I wonder how much adoptee’s perspectives would vary country to country.