With a triadic perspective, this autoethnographic narrative explores the temporal, situated nature of interactions between the author as an adoptee with her adult adopted children as well as those between herself and her birth father and mother.
The epiphanic adoptive family narratives that are foregrounded seek to deepen and challenge understanding of how kinship affinities are experienced. The autoethnographic narratives are written in a critical, evocative style which is valuable for two reasons. Firstly, the processes of reflexive self-introspection, self-observation and dialogue with relational others have established a critical connection between recognising and responding to kinship affinities and personal growth. Secondly, lying at the intersection of the self and other this narrative contributes to deepening insights around epistemic in/justice in adoptive kinship.
This book will be of interest to educators and scholars of adoption in offering an insider perspective on unique family relationships as well as how the author undertakes critical evocative autoethnography. Adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents will also find the narratives in Part II of this book of particular interest in informing an understanding of kin relationships and how these may be subject to change over time.
Author(s): Christine A. Lewis
Series: Routledge Advances in Sociology, 347
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 134
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Series Information
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Part I An Adoptee’s Critical Autoethnography
1 In-Between-Ness and Belonging
Who Am I?
My Aim
For Adoptees and Adoptive Mothers
Key Literature – Conceptual Framework
Analytic, Critical, and Evocative Autoethnography
Kinship Affinities
Adoptive Family Research Themes
After Kinship
Subsequent Literature – Deepening the Conceptual Framework
Adoption Literature
Non-adoption Literature
Auto – the Study of the Self, Through Personal Experience
Ethno – How the Self Comprehends Cultural Links
Graphy – the Application and Analysis of the Research Process
Epiphanic Moments and Evocative Autoethnography
Note
References
2 Autoethnography
Introduction
Autoethnography
Writing – the Approach and the Process
Identifying Adoptive Family Experiences as Epiphanies
When Did I Write?
All My Senses
Relational Ethics
Tensions in Relational Ethics
Ethics and Disclosure
Conclusion
References
Part II Stories of Adoptive Kinship
Introduction
3 ‘You’re Not My Real Mum!’
Introduction
Epiphany 2009
Eight Years Later – Christmas Eve 2017
Themes Arising From Chapter 3
Adoption Microassaults and Disrecognition – ‘You’re Not My Real Mum’
Epistemic In/justice – Eight Years Later
Future Research
Epilogue
References
4 Recognition as Love
Introduction
Do You Recognise Yourself in Me?
It’s Quite Frightening But Really Exciting
Not My Real Mother – Left the Planet
Themes Arising From Chapter 4
Recognition – ‘Do You Recognise Yourself in Me?’
Relatedness – Intergenerational Recognition – Gender – ‘It’s Quite Frightening But Really Exciting’
Adoption Micro-Invalidation – Not My Real Mother – and Micro-Fiction – Left the Planet
Future Research
Note
References
5 Darkest February
Introduction
‘We Want You to Be Grandma’
‘We Want the Adoption Documents’
Themes Arising From Chapter 5
Adoption Microassaults – ‘We Want You to Be Grandma’
Epistemic Trust, Gender, Homes – ‘We Want the Adoption Documents’
Future Research
References
6 Five Years Later
Introduction
Five Years Later
Themes Arising From Chapter 6
Sensory and Negotiated Affinities
Future Research
References
7 My Lineage
Introduction
Christmas 2009
Themes Arising From Chapter 7
Temporality and Resemblance
Home as a Significant Material Place
Future Research
Epilogue – What Now?
References
Index
