VDM Scherman, R: Intercountry adoption of Eastern European child

Virtually all of the research on the ethnic identity development of internationally adopted children has been on transracial adoptions. Little is known about the ethnic socialisation of children raised in racially similar adoptive homes. This book describes a study involving 162 New Zealand families of European descent, with children adopted predominately from Eastern Europe, who were surveyed on their attitudes of the importance of the children''s birth culture. Results showed that the majority of families engaged in cultural activities, made efforts to socialise with people of the birth culture and expressed a desire that their children ethnically identify with the birth and New Zealand cultures. A sub-sample of adopted children was also surveyed on their self-concept and ethnic identification. Overall, the study s findings suggest that the adopted children are well adjusted, interested in their ethnic origins, and being parented by New Zealanders who support the children s interest in their birth culture. For anyone wishing to adopt cross-culturally, or working in the field, this book offers theoretical and empirical information on ethnic socialisation in intercountry adoptions.