Start Date
13-5-2016 8:00 AM
Description
This research examined the typology of microaggressions (i.e., everyday slights and derogations) that Korean American internationally and transracially adopted individuals (ITAPs) report based on intraracial and intraethnic interpersonal exchanges. Although the microaggressions framework has been used to analyze more covert prejudicial interracial slights, it has not yet been explored from an intraracial lens. Transcripts from two separate focus groups with 4 young adult Korean American ITAPs (2 males and 2 females per group) were analyzed. Focus groups were completed using Skype. Thematic analysis was employed to discover 15 distinct subthemes organized under 6 overarching themes: (1) Cultural Scripts; (2) Relationships; (3) Assumptions of Identity; (4) Contextual Microaggressions; (5) Instruction; and, (6) Adoption-Specific Microaggressions. Themes revolved around expectations of culturally valued behavior, ignorance of adoption, and cultural societal definitions of identity. Implications for practice and theory are provided.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/R59K48G9
Intraracial and Intraethnic Microagressions Experienced by Korean American Internationally and Transracially Adopted Persons
This research examined the typology of microaggressions (i.e., everyday slights and derogations) that Korean American internationally and transracially adopted individuals (ITAPs) report based on intraracial and intraethnic interpersonal exchanges. Although the microaggressions framework has been used to analyze more covert prejudicial interracial slights, it has not yet been explored from an intraracial lens. Transcripts from two separate focus groups with 4 young adult Korean American ITAPs (2 males and 2 females per group) were analyzed. Focus groups were completed using Skype. Thematic analysis was employed to discover 15 distinct subthemes organized under 6 overarching themes: (1) Cultural Scripts; (2) Relationships; (3) Assumptions of Identity; (4) Contextual Microaggressions; (5) Instruction; and, (6) Adoption-Specific Microaggressions. Themes revolved around expectations of culturally valued behavior, ignorance of adoption, and cultural societal definitions of identity. Implications for practice and theory are provided.