Constructing and Enhancing the International Adoptive Family Through Communication Technology

Abstract

This qualitative study of 38 adoptive U.S. mothers of children from Asia examines how communication technologies have been used in international adoption and adoptive mothering. In the interviews mothers described how photographs, videos, audio recordings, and the Internet play important roles in the process of adoption, the formation of adoptive motherhood, the “doing” of adoptive mothering, and in the development of the adopted child's sense of self. The Internet in recent years has come to play an increasing role in complimenting earlier communication technologies through allowing online mothers to rapidly connect to the experiences of other adoptive mothers and to access the resources of various useful websites and online support groups.

KEYWORDS:

• adoptive family
• identity
• information and communication technology (ICT)
• international adoption
• Internet
• motherhood/mothering
• photography

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank Professors Nancy Naples, Anita Garey, Ronald Taylor, and James DeFronzo of the University of Connecticut for their assistance. I also thank the editors of this volume and the anonymous reviewers who significantly improved the quality of the manuscript.