[Choosing the name in international adoption]

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Psychology
• Cultural Studies

Context:

• International adoption presents unique challenges for families.
• Maintaining connections to the child's birth country's culture is a key consideration.
• Parental naming choices can reflect cultural integration strategies.

Purpose:

• To explore the connection between adoptive parents' cultural engagement and children's sense of belonging.
• To understand the influence of naming practices on identity formation in internationally adopted children.
• To investigate feelings of filiation and affiliation within transracial and international adoptive families.

Summary:

• A study examined how adoptive parents navigate cultural connections with their child's birth country.
• The research analyzed the significance of chosen names in reflecting these cultural considerations.
• It investigated children's and parents' experiences of belonging, filiation, and affiliation.

Impact:

• Provides insights into identity development for internationally adopted individuals.
• Informs adoptive parents on fostering cultural connections and a sense of belonging.
• Contributes to understanding the psychosocial dynamics of international adoption.