Relation to Wider Debates in American Culture

The post-adoption experiences of Chinese adoptees and their parents reflect wider debates about ethnic stereotyping and discrimination, as well as ethnic authenticity.

• As ethnic minorities, Chinese adoptees have constrained "ethnic options" (Waters, 1990). Dorow (2006) illustrates adoptees’ lack of ethnic options with anecdote from a German American father, who was resistant to cultural emersion because he did not cultivate a connection with his own ethnic roots but “has realized that while he had the option of not being German American, because of his daughter’s race [and appearance], she will not have that option” (242). Due to adoptees’ constrained ethnic options, Chinese socialization is important to foster a sense of familiarity and belonging with the ethnicity that society will assign to them.
• Chinese adoptees may also be subject to "ethnic expectations (Jacobson, 1008, citing Tuan). Because adoptees look Chinese, others will expect them to have knowledge of Chinese culture. Chinese socialization can help adoptees cope with ethnic expectations that may be imposed upon them.
• Furthermore, Chinese adoptees will likely encounter prejudices and/or discrimination at some point in their lives. Having a well-developed sense of racial and ethnic pride can be a crucial ‘survival skill’ against racism and prejudice.

For parents who choose to pursue Chinese socialization (either under the acculturation or bi-cultural socialization models) must confront the issue of authenticity. Because the majority of parents who adopt Chinese children are not Chinese themselves, their ability to provide Chinese culture for their children is questioned. But what, exactly, is 'authentic' Chinese culture?

• Many adoptive parents focus on traditional Chinese culture but do not incorporate modern Chinese culture.
• Furthermore, most focus is on Chinese people from China, rather than the history and culture of Chinese-Americans.
• Parents tend to pick and choose which aspects of Chinese culture to acknowledge and eliminate or minimize aspects that conflict with their existing value system.
• Many parents engage in 'symbolic ethnicity,' in that they focus on symbols like holidays, clothing, and food to participate in Chinese culture. For many, this is more realistic than true immersion in Chinese culture.
• As a result, an adoptive family subculture has emerged. Some adoptive families only participate in 'Chinese cultural activities' at events with other adoptive families (such as ones hosted by Families with Children from China, or FCC).