“THIS IS YOUR TEAM”: EXAMINING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG TRANSRACIAL INTERNATIONAL ADOPTEES

Sheera Tamura

Abstract

It has been argued that developing a sense of belonging is a unique process for transracial international adoptees. This qualitative study examines how three transracial international adoptees (N=3) experience a sense of belonging within themselves, their family environments, and their communities. Each participant was thoroughly interviewed about their adoptive experiences and how they find a sense of belonging within their adoptive identities. Once all of the interviews were completed, the interview transcripts underwent a thematic analysis process in which four unique themes emerged. Although there were notable differences in how each adoptee acknowledges a sense of belonging, there were also shared similarities in racial and ethnic awareness and the process of choosing with whom they want to surround themselves.