[anilorak]

Hello all. I am a hopeful adoptive mom, and I would like to get your feedback on an issue that seems to be unique to our (future) family.

My husband and I both immigrated into the US as children - he from El Salvador, I from Poland. We both maintain our native languages and cultures with our respective families, and intend to pass both down to our children. We live in the US.

We intend to adopt internationally from one or both of our countries, so that maintaining the children's culture of origin will be a given.

My question is this - is is possible for our children to come to identify in part with both of our cultures? Say we adopt from El Salvador - will they be able to identify in part as Polish as well, by virtue of a Polish mom and growing up around the language and culture? Or if we adopt from Poland, will they identify in part as Salvadorian/Latino also, by virtue of a Salvadorian/Latino dad and growing up around the language and culture?

I know everyone is different, so I'd just like to see if there's anyone with a comparable situation that would like to shed some light on this.

I truly appreciate any feedback anyone would be willing to share. Thanks a lot!

anilorak

[Jensboys]

Well I am the adoptive Canadian mom of two African-American boys from Missouri. My husband is from WA, and we all live in Canada. My dh's mom is Norwegian.

So, one day last winter when I called out to my son to put on his coat, his reply was "Mom, I'm NORWEGIAN I like the cold!"

We also celebrate St. Patricks day (My extended family is Irish), Kwanzaa, July 1st (Canada Day), July 4th and the boys are learning French (my grandparents speak French) etc etc etc.

Yes, my boys "know" they arent Norwegian by genetics, but they are "Norwegian" by virtue of our family.

[anilorak]

thank you for sharing your experience. It made me hopeful.
anilorak

[raduga]

Czesc!
I think if the child feels accepted by his a-family, then he'll feel comfortable with their culture and traditions. Culture and language are learned, afterall, not inherited!

-raduga

[anilorak]

thanks, raduga,

Lately, I've been wondering where my heritage pride comes from. Is it because I was born in Poland? Because I spent the first 8 years of my life there? Because we spoke Polish at home, even after coming to the US? Is it because of the traditions my mom maintained, that linked me with Poles in Poland? So I'm in a situation where I can't tell if my pride comes from the facts of my birth, or because of the continuous practice of my culture. Cerainly, I think both play a role, which is why I think our children will need to be exposed to both our cultures, one of which will also be their birth culture (that's the plan, anyway.)

[bizzee]

This may sound naive on my part, but having done extensive genealogy research in hopes of identifying my Native American heritage, I have run across so much diversity in blended cultures in my genetic lineage.

I am German, English, Irish, French, Scottish, but people think I look like I am Italian (no Italian blood lines).

My point is I relish ALL of them!

My husband is Polish (parents came over in the 60s). His children are Polish and Italian. He speaks the language (I have tried to learn). I love listening to them. I love learning about their heritage and sharing in some of their customs.

We are preparing to adopt a Latino child. I am excited to add yet another dimension to our ethnic and cultural diversity. And he/she will be raised with his/her cultural heritage as part of his/her life, as well as ours. I want my child to be able to identify with all cultures and appreciate what each has to offer. Spice of life.

I am "adopted" so to speak. My stepfather adopted me when he married my mother. When I got older and became increasingly interested in my Native American roots, I was so surprised at the things he did - he would buy me Native American pottery, crafts, music CDs, books, etc. His German heritage is just as much a part of me as my "natural" roots, though.

It's ALL GOOD !