Parents and Their Adopted Chinese Children: Adoption and Racial Microaggressions in Diverse Communities

• Published in: Adoption quarterly Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 77 - 106
• Main Authors: Baden, Amanda L., Zhang, Xian, Matthews, Jessica A. K, White, Ebony E., Harrington, Elliotte S., Kitchen, Andrew, Mazza, Jonathan, Pinderhughes, Ellen E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 02-01-2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adopted children; Adoption; Adoptive parents; China; diversity; Ethnic groups; Families & family life; microaggression; Microaggressions; Multiculturalism & pluralism; transracial
• ISSN: 1092-6755; 1544-452X
• DOI: 10.1080/10926755.2022.2156015

In this study using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, we coded the types and community prevalence of racial microaggressions (RMAs) and adoption microaggressions (AMAs) experienced and reported by White adoptive families with children adopted from China. Analyses examined differences in microaggressions reported by transracial adoptive families living in communities varying in racial-ethnic diversity. All families experienced RMAs and/or AMAs. Community diversity was only related to the number of RMAs experienced, and specific microaggressions were significantly related to diversity level. Parents' interpretation of microaggressions differed based on diversity level.