International Adoption, Dyadic Belonging, and the Liminal Self: The Case of a Korean American Adoptee’s Return to South Korea

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Title
International Adoption, Dyadic Belonging, and the Liminal Self: The Case of a Korean American Adoptee’s Return to South Korea
Author
Diedra Cates
Faculty Sponsor
Isidore Lobnibe
Abstract
This paper examines the social location and conflicting identities of Korean American adoptees often referred to as KADs. Utilizing participant observation and interviews conducted in South Korea, the author discusses how Confucian ideology, which stresses consanguineal relations, affects and shapes the ways in which the Korean government and society view KADs in the context of international adoption. The author also draws upon personal field experiences in South Korea to highlight the expectations placed upon KADs in a Korean context, and how this can result in identity confusion and reconfiguration upon their return to a country that has been historically ashamed of them.
Description
First, I would like to thank the Anthropology faculty at Western Oregon University for their support and guidance. Dr. Isidore Lobnibe, Dr. Robin Smith, and Dr. Misty Weitzel have been true inspiration, and I will never forget all that they have done for me. I would also like to specifically thank Dr. Isidore Lobnibe for spending countless hours helping me develop and execute my thesis project. Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to Molly Holt and Holt Ilsan Town for their warm hearts and open arms while abroad in South Korea.
Subject
International adoption
dyadic belonging
liminality
KAD
South Korea
rite of passage
Rights
Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/01/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Type
Text
volume
3
Date Published
5/28/2014
Note
Isidore Lobnibe
Alternative Title
International Adoption, Dyadic Belonging, and the Liminal Self
Identifier
pure/vol3/iss1/5
Language
eng