Identity development and transracial/ethnic adoption: some challenges for practice |
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Authors: | Lena Robinson |
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Institution: | 1. School of Health &2. Human Services, CQ University Australia , Noosaville , Australia l.robinson@cqu.edu.au |
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Abstract: | Issues of identity and its development are of huge importance in transracial/ethnic adoptions. Theoretical approaches that relate to racial/ethnic identity development include Cross's racial, Phinney's ethnic identity development, Berry's acculturation model. This article examines these models and their relevance in understanding identity development of transracial/ethnic adolescent adoptees. Successful negotiation of one's racial/ethnic identity is crucial to the development of a functional self-concept and positive self-evaluations for transracial/ethnic adoptees. Practitioners need to be aware of the unique experiences of transracially adopted adolescents that shape racial/ethnic identity development and take an active approach in helping transracial adoptees build positive self-images of themselves. |
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Keywords: | transracial adoption racial/ethnic identity development acculturation cultural socialization |
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