Being a transethnically adopted woman in Aotearoa

Abstract

The aim of this research is to look at the experiences of transethnically adopted women and to hear their perspectives on how being adopted has influenced their lives. Transethnic adoption is when persons from one ethnic community are adopted by family of another ethnic community. Therefore transethnic adoption includes intercountry adoption. Most adoption research is about adopted children. What happens to transethnically adopted children when they reach adulthood? Are transethnically adopted people able to identify with both their birth communities and adoptive communities? A literature review was undertaken of the available research about transethnic adoption and about adopted adults. Qualitative methods were used from a feminist perspective. Ten women between the ages of 29 to 59 years of age were interviewed in face-to-face interviews and by telephone. Four of the women were Maori, two were Samoan and there was one each of Bengali, Chinese, Cook Island and Tongan descent. The data collected from the interviews was analysed by the themes of adoptive family, ethnic identity and birth family. Most of the women interviewed had had little contact with their birth communities or cultures when they were growing up. The attitude of their adoptive parents towards their birth ethnicity was often negative. Nearly all the women were having to find out about their birth ethnic identity as adults. Transethnically adopted children have rights to knowledge of their genealogy, culture and community. Transethnic adoption will continue to happen so it is essential that the adopted people involved have their rights to that knowledge ensured.