Prepared for Distribution to iCARE Members
Overview
This report summarizes the findings of a recent survey of international adoptees, with a primary focus on individuals adopted from China. The data reflects responses from 27 participants, all of whom were adopted internationally. The aim of the survey was to better understand adoptee perspectives on their experiences with parental, school, and community support, as well as overall well-being.
Participant Overview
- 88.5% of participants were adopted from China
- 26 individuals consented to sharing demographics and quantitative ratings
- 27 individuals consented to full or partial sharing of qualitative (text) responses
Methodological Notes
- Ratings were collected on a scale from 1 (low) to 5 (high)
- Descriptive statistics (mean and median) are provided due to the small sample size
- Data was grouped by adoption age, racial match with family/community, and sibling type
Key Quantitative Findings
Overall Summary (Table 1)
- Overall Adoption Experience: Median = 3.0 | Mean = 3.0
- Parental Support: Median = 4.0 | Mean = 3.3
- School Support: Median = 2.0 | Mean = 2.5
- Community Support: Median = 3.0 | Mean = 2.6
Ratings by Age at Adoption (Table 2)
- 0–6 months: Higher parental support (Mean = 3.5)
- 7–12 months: Most balanced scores across all categories
- 1+ years: Lower school support (Mean = 2.0)
Ratings by Racial Representation in Community (Table 3)
- Very Few Same-Race People: Median scores dropped in all categories
- Some Representation: Improved school and community support ratings
Ratings by Parent(s) Racial Match (Table 4)
- One/Both Same Race: Higher ratings in all areas (e.g., Parental Support Mean = 4.0)
- All Different: Lower school and community support scores
Ratings by Sibling Type (Table 5)
- Only Adopted Siblings: Slightly lower overall and parental support, but higher school support
- Bio/Both/None: Higher average scores for parental support and overall experience
Key Qualitative Themes
Parental Support
Positive Themes:
- Met physical/emotional needs
- Open dialogue around adoption
- Cultural engagement through events, language, food
Challenges:
- Lack of emotional understanding or adoption-competent therapy
- White saviorism, colorblindness, or minimizing racial issues
- Resistance to birth parent search or identity discussions
Suggestions:
- Mandatory trauma and adoption competency training
- Early connection with culture and other adoptees
- Shift from savior narratives to child-centered understanding
School Support
Positive Themes:
- Inclusion in cultural celebrations (e.g., Lunar New Year)
- Access to culturally relevant language classes
- Welcoming school staff
Challenges:
- Lack of DEI efforts or racially-based bullying
- Assignments that highlighted genetic or racial differences (e.g., family trees)
- Eurocentric curriculum with minimal Asian representation
Suggestions:
- Adoption-competent and culturally inclusive curriculum
- Increased staff training on implicit bias
- Peer education around family diversity
Community/System Support
Positive Themes:
- Access to cultural markets, restaurants, events
- Feeling of acceptance and inclusion
- Online communities as alternative sources of support
Challenges:
- Overt racism or ignorance toward adoptee and POC identities
- Lack of meaningful support or diversity in rural areas
- Community events lacking trauma or adoption focus
Suggestions:
- Promote narratives led by adoptee voices
- Encourage community cultural literacy and inclusivity
- Build accessible, virtual networks to foster connection
Final Reflections from Adoptees
- Widespread mention of feeling emotionally misunderstood
- Strong critiques of white saviorism and transactional views of adoption
- Deep desire for authentic connection, identity support, and media representation
- Books like You Should Be Grateful by Angela Tucker seen as essential reading
About the Researcher
This survey was independently conducted by MaryClare Colombo, a Chinese adoptee with a master’s degree in psychological research design and statistics. MaryClare works professionally in survey research and is a member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research. She recruited participants through adoptee-only Facebook groups and collected both quantitative and qualitative data on adoptees’ experiences with parents, schools, and communities.
Adoptees responded anonymously, sharing as much information as they felt comfortable, including demographic background and open-ended reflections on areas of support and needed improvement. iCARE was not involved in the design, recruitment, data collection, or analysis—ensuring the independence and integrity of the findings.
