The identity of the adopted woman: a study of the formation and continuity of adoptive identity themes
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Authors
Steinberg-Michahelles, Jane
Issue Date
1987
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This is a study of the ways in which the parent-child relationship affects the formation of adoptive identity and the perpetuation of a child's adoptive identity themes. For each of ten adopted women, adoptive identity themes from the telling were analyzed and compared with marital identity themes. The process by which adoptive and marital identity themes were integrated was investigated as well. It was shown that initially the attitudes and feelings of adoptive parents determine the degree to which adoptive identity develops in their adopted daughter and, in addition, determine the unique thematic content of that identity. Both the parent-child relationship and the Adopted Woman's relationship with her husband were seen to contribute to the perpetuation of the themes. This study proposes that the experience of not being oneself is shared by many Adopted Women and is based upon the denial of the differences that exist between adopted child and adoptive parents. Denial of difference was understood to be a response to the anticipated disruption of the adoptive relationship should differences be acknowledged. This study suggests that acknowledgment of difference offers the adoptee the basis for both a positive adoptive identity and a strong sense of belonging in her adoptive family. It was recommended that the formation and continuity of adoptive identity themes of male adoptees be studied to investigate the contribution of gender to the central conflict explored in this study, that between the Adopted Woman's need for identity integration and her need to experience belonging in her primary love relationships.