Date of Graduation
Spring 2021
Degree
Master of Science in Early Childhood and Family Development
Department
Early Childhood and Family Development
Committee Chair
Elizabeth King
Abstract
This study examined adult transracial adoptees’ (TRAs) childhood experiences and determined how specific factors influenced their likelihood to choose biological procreation, adoption, fostering, a combination of these options, or the choice to be child-free when forming their own families. These adoptees were Black, Indigenous and people of color adopted by white parents in the United States through domestic or international adoption. Childhood experiences included the TRAs’ sense of belonging, cultural socialization, and preparation for bias. The only dependent variable option predicted by a childhood experience was the preference to be child-free. TRAs who experienced higher levels of belonging were less likely to prefer a child-free family. Higher levels of both cultural socialization and preparation for bias approached significance in predicting less likelihood to prefer a child-free family. Data were collected via mixed methods including an online survey and interviews. The aim was to expand representation of adult TRAs in the literature and to inform best social work and parenting practices involving TRAs.
Keywords
adoption, adoptee, transracial adoption, transracial adoptee, cultural socialization, preparation for bias, belongingness, parenting, procreation, decision-making
Subject Categories
Curriculum and Instruction | Development Studies | Multicultural Psychology | Social Work
Copyright
© Sarah J. Gray
Recommended Citation
Gray, Sarah J., "Adult Transracial Adoptees' Childhood Experiences and Decision-Making in Forming Families of Creation" (2021). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 3611.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3611
Open Access
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Development Studies Commons, Multicultural Psychology Commons, Social Work Commons
