Date of Award
Spring 5-18-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
PHD - Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Education
First Advisor
Dr. Jo Ann Gammel
Second Advisor
Dr. Jen Dolan
Third Advisor
Dr. Barbara Govendo
Abstract
Adults adopted in childhood often face a heightened susceptibility to psychological and behavioral challenges compared with their non-adopted peers. Scholars examining this phenomenon associate various factors, including an adoptee’s sense of self as an individual within a complex adoption background. This qualitative study utilized a material engagement theory to explore birth through adoptive narratives among adults adopted in closed settings during childhood. Through participatory research, participants examined a range of artifacts related to maternal relinquishment, encompassing foster and adoption records, original birth certificates, letters, photographs, birthmarks, clothing, hair, scars, and DNA test results. The study focused on understanding these artifacts’ societal and cultural influence in shaping adoptive identity. Data analysis contextualized the social, economic, cultural, and historic elements surrounding maternal relinquishment. Through their engagement with artifacts, participants gained crucial insights into their identities, uncovering adoption-related secrets while clarifying the complexities of their birth through adoption narratives. Findings accentuated the role of birth and adoption-related artifacts in facilitating an exploration of beliefs, values, ideas, attitudes, and assumptions regarding adoption while providing a framework for understanding how these factors contribute to one’s sense of self, relationships, family, and culture. This object-oriented approach to investigating adoptive identity offers valuable insights for future research in adoption studies.
Key Words: adoption, artifacts, identity
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Language
English
Number of Pages
217
Embargo Period
5-2-2024
Recommended Citation
Reeve, Ellen, "The Archeology of Adoption: Tracing the Journey from Birth Through Adoption Using Pre-Adoptive Artifacts" (2024). Educational Studies Dissertations. 222.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/education_dissertations/222
Included in
Archaeological Anthropology Commons, Biological Psychology Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Humane Education Commons, Human Factors Psychology Commons, Place and Environment Commons
Rights
The author owns the copyright to this work.
