Question for people who have adopted foreign children?

Question

There is a possibility that I would have some fertility problems in the future when I try to have children, so I may be looking at adoption.

So, my question is whether people who adopted children from foreign countries try to assimilate them completely into American culture, or if they try to raise them with an awareness of their own cultural background? For instance, if you adopted a child from China, would you enroll him or her in Mandarin classes, or in cheerleading or ballet or baseball? Obviously older children can decide for themselves what activities they want to do, but would you encourage or discourage activities related to their biological background?

By the way I am aware that a lot of people here are opposed to foreign adoptions. I know your point of view, I am just curious about this issue.

Answer 1

That all depends on you and your spouse. I say go ahead and put the child in ballet, baseball, gymnastics, karate, etc. Then like you said as the child gets older they will tell you what they like and what they want to learn. My boss has a 3 year old girl from China. She is in dance, but they also meet monthly with other familes in the area with children from China and they do things from their culture with other children of the same background. I think whatever fits into your life best will work. The child just wants a loving home to grow and thrive.

Answer 2

Can I answer even though I did not adopt and do not plan to? I think you should assimilate them into American culture while keeping a balance with their culture. I think the child will grow up feeling completely Americanized anyway because they will be an American. If you try to push their "culture" on them- they may reject it. Because really, it you think about it, they're culture will be American culture. It's not like they're coming from a situation where one parent is, for example, Chinese and the other is American. Both will be American. I guess the best thing to do is what feels right at the time. Take your cues from the child. By the way, I think adoption is a beautiful thing. Good luck!