--- title: 5 Ways Internationally Adopted Kids Shape Their Identity (and 4 Important Ways Parents Help) description: Children adopted internationally must work, with the support of their parents, to integrate their personal, ethic, cultural and family identity. image: https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hubfs/Blog_Pics/internationally_adopted_kids_identity.jpg --- ![holding-hands-918990_960_720-2](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/hubfs/holding-hands-918990_960_720-2.jpg?width=959&name=holding-hands-918990_960_720-2.jpg "holding-hands-918990_960_720-2") # Family Connections, Inc. Blog #### Let us help you. # [5 Ways Internationally Adopted Kids Shape Their Identity (and 4 Important Ways Parents Help)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/5-ways-internationally-adopted-kids-shape-their-identity-and-4-important-ways-parents-help) ![close](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/AK-UI%20Builder/close-button.svg) ### Categories - [adopt a child (88)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopt-a-child) - [adoptees (18)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptees) - [adopting older children (6)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopting-older-children) - [adopting the older child (5)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopting-the-older-child) - [adoption (230)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption) - [adoption attorneys (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-attorneys) - [adoption choices (71)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-choices) - [adoption costs (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-costs) - [adoption dossier (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-dossier) - [adoption from foster care (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-from-foster-care) - [adoption help (86)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-help) - [adoption information (49)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-information) - [adoption law (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-law) - [adoption options (73)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-options) - [adoption paperwork (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-paperwork) - [adoption profile (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-profile) - [adoption questions (17)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-questions) - [adoption resources (24)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-resources) - [adoption services (97)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-services) - [adoption support (18)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-support) - [adoptive families (43)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-families) - [adoptive family (40)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-family) - [adoptive parent (39)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-parent) - [adoptive parents (13)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-parents) - [affording adoption (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/affording-adoption) - [Belize Adoption (9)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/belize-adoption) - [Binghamton (36)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/binghamton) - [birth families (15)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-families) - [birth family (11)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-family) - [birth mother (86)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-mother) - [birth parent (72)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-parent) - [Bulgaria Adoption (10)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/bulgaria-adoption) - [creating a profile (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/creating-a-profile) - [domestic adoption (106)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/domestic-adoption) - [expedited (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/expedited) - [families waiting to adopt (20)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/families-waiting-to-adopt) - [Family Connections, Inc. 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** - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2F5-ways-internationally-adopted-kids-shape-their-identity-and-4-important-ways-parents-help) - [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2F5-ways-internationally-adopted-kids-shape-their-identity-and-4-important-ways-parents-help) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/5-ways-internationally-adopted-kids-shape-their-identity-and-4-important-ways-parents-help) - [**](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2F5-ways-internationally-adopted-kids-shape-their-identity-and-4-important-ways-parents-help) Written by Jessie McNaughton on June 21, 2016 When you [adopt](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/the-miracle-of-family-adopting-internationally) a child [internationally](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adopting-an-international-orphaned-child), your family will become multi-cultural and perhaps [inter-racial](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/trans-racial-adoption-are-those-kids-yours).  The majority of children who are adopted internationally successfully integrate their personal, ethic, cultural and family identity..   But this does not automatically happen.     It is a complex and life-long process for the child that should be enabled and supported by the parents.   ![internationally_adopted_kids_identity.jpg](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Pics/internationally_adopted_kids_identity.jpg?width=536&name=internationally_adopted_kids_identity.jpg)    A child’s ethnic identity is their self-perception and sense of belonging to a particular group of persons with a common affiliation (e.g. African, Chinese).  A child's cultural identity is determined by the society to which the person belongs and is socially transmitted from one’s family and community (e.g. Chinese-American).  A child's identity development is a dynamic, life-long process, which requires active decision making and self-exploration.  It is the integration of one’s self-definition, one’s definition by others, one’s ethnic identity, and one’s cultural identity.    This identity is not developed by itself.  The family must actively encourage exploration and provide opportunities for learning and growth.   **A child adopted internationally must explore and integrate:**   - Their native ethnic and cultural heritage - Their birth family's and adoptive family’s ethnic and cultural reality - Their physical appearance - The perceptions of them by others - Their personal and society values and beliefs   In order to help a multi-cultural adoption work, the adoptive family must actively foster and encourage their child’s development of their unique identity.  They must encourage their child to explore and embrace their identity and culture by actively engaging in appropriate cultural & ethnic activities, fostering a cultural community and positively embracing all aspects of their child’s identity.   Parents can help ensure that their child develops a positive cultural and racial identity by: ** ** - **Family engagement with the child’s native culture and ethnic heritage**- Encourage and co-participate in activities of your child’s native culture (e.g. language learning, foods, holiday celebrations, traditions, culture camps, adoption support networks, etc.   - **Balancing of the multiple cultures represented in the family and community**- Incorporate your child’s cultural heritage, the family’s cultural heritage, and society’s culture into life so the child will feel a part of each.  Parents who either deny differences or insistent on differences can make it difficult for the child to synthesize their dual identities.   - **Recognition of extra-family forces - **No child or family lives in isolation.  Transracially adopted children will experience both racism and tolerance, discrimination and equality, exclusion and acceptance, and difference and sameness.  Children whose parents provide them with strategies to cope with racism, discrimination, exclusion and difference are better able to develop a positive sense of self.   - **Involvement with ethnic and cultural reference groups and role models**- Children need to be exposed to, interact with, and develop relationships with role models from their native ethnic group.  The family can take steps to be involved by moving to a more diverse area, enrolling the child in a more diverse school, joining appropriate clubs, or making an effort to make friends with people of the same ethnic or cultural group.     Family Connections, Inc., is an authorized New York State adoption agency that supports families who adopt internationally and are parenting children of diverse cultures.  To learn more about the agency's services, please contact Dan or Anita at 607-756-6574 or 1-800-535-5556 or info@adoptfamilyconnections.       [![Click Here to Receive Your FreeGuide to](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/159841/686a68f5-f93d-4e6b-afbd-9b99b64d4458.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/159841/686a68f5-f93d-4e6b-afbd-9b99b64d4458)   ![Subscribe](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/99%20Template%20Pack/Background%20Images/message.svg "Subscribe") ### Subscribe to Stay Connected ### Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post. Put your Comment Below. ### You may also like: ## [The Benefits of International Adoption](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/the-benefits-of-international-adoption) International adoption and how it can transform lives. ## [Adoption Home Study Visit and What to Expect](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adoption-home-study-visit-and-what-to-expect) Understand and prepare for your adoption home study visit to ensure a smooth adoption process. ## [Debunking Adoption Myths](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/debunking-adoption-myths) Uncover the truth behind common misconceptions about adoption and learn why they are not always accurate. ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2432204/hubfs/99%20Template%20Pack/newsletter_bg.jpeg?width=2000&name=newsletter_bg.jpeg) ## Subscribe to Stay Connected There is always more to learn when it comes to adoption! ### Subscribe to Email Updates    [I'm Pregnant](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/im-pregnant/) / [Waiting Families](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/waiting-families/) / [I Want to Adopt](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/) / [Resources](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/resources/) / [Our Staff](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/our-staff/) / [Contact Us](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/contact-us/) / [Blog](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/)    Call Today!  607-756-6574   © 2019 Family Connections, Inc. 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