Theorising the racial identity development of transracial adoptees : a symbolic interactionist perspective

In using the symbolic interactionist perspective, findings from an empirically informed British study carried out from 2000 to 2003, into the racial identity development of a small sample of adults who were transracially adopted as children is presented. Analysis is given of the ways in which to varying degrees, the adoptees experienced a number of difficulties, tied to (i) racial differences with the adoptive family; (ii) the racialised questions and categorisations of others; and, (iii) inclusion and exclusion issues with birth and adoptive heritages. The study also highlights the way in which adoptees had understood and negotiated these difficulties in order to emerge with a particular type of racial identity which incorporated both parts of their birth and adoptive heritages and best represented how the adoptees saw themselves, and their pursuit of a positive sense of self. Using these findings, a number of best practice recommendations are then offered