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School-aged children can be exposed to hurtful comments from their classmates, or feel uncomfortable with certain types of class assignments or language used in the classroom. Here are resources to help parents and educators work together for the childre
Child development expert Rita Taddonio fielded questions about racial bullying, parent presentations, adoptees who don't want the teacher to know, and much more in this chat with adoptive parents.... [more]
Teachers are challenged to develop sensitivity in the classroom, expanding their own awareness while encouraging their students to do the same. Resources for educators can be found in our communities, on the Web, and in books and tapes.... [more]
Age-specific ways to help our children visualize and express the diversity of their families. Great for adoptive and foster families, and teachers.... [more]
At the beginning of every school year, adoptive parents consider whether or not tell teachers that their children joined their families through adoption. Both sides of the discussion are presented to help you make your decision.... [more]
"Your Child's World: Adoption at School"
Comments
When I was growing up and in school, discussions about adoption and classmates that were adopted were certainly not a part of my experience. If anything, I remember finding out certain kids were adopted from my parents or teachers, and then being asked to keep it a secret, typically because the children themselves didn't know the circumstances of their own lives. This always surprised me, and also gave me the idea at a young age that adoption was something to be ashamed of, and that it was something that was discussed in private, and not with the adopted child until age 18, when they were adults and finally allowed to know.
The sad thing is, I didn't understand what the big deal was about talking about it openly, even as a child, and I remember asking my parents and sometimes my more trusted teachers for more information about it. I don't remember what my parents told me, but I do remember them expressing extreme admiration for parents that adopted or made the adoption decision for their biological children, and I know that made it even more confusing for me as a child to understand why communication was so hush-hush. I even felt anger on behalf of my friends that were adopted and didn't know it, and had an urge to tell them (even though it was obviously not my place!) and dispel the idea that it was a bad thing. I think mostly I wanted to nurture them and help them begin to talk about it so everyone would understand.
Is it still the case that more parents and teachers than not are choosing to avoid the topic, or have things changed in the past 30 years? And, if they've changed, I wonder why they've changed? Is it merely the presence of more "famous" adopted people (and famous people adopting) in the media, etc., or is it a change that is being sparked by willingness to have more open discussions and to invoke change in the world of adoption?
Posted by: backslash at 11/10/2005 08:45 AM
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