The Missing Peace - Offerings from the Study of Adoption, Culture, and Identity - Capstone

Sep 11, 2026

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This capstone expands cultural sustainability practice by examining how emerging adult Chinese adoptees in the United States navigate identity formation and a sense of belonging. It frames the adoptee experience as a convergence of time, place, and culture, shaped by transnational and transracial realities. Using two years of interviews and focus groups with eight female participants, it argues for a distinct Chinese adoptee culture with specific needs. Recommendations support reconciling cultural differences and strengthening family ties.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

FormatPDF

Pages162

Reading Time57 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Review of Literature

Leaving China

The Mandala of Adoption

Adoption Advocacy

Methodology

Findings and Analysis

Conversations with Chinese Adoptees

Focus Groups of Chinese Adoptees

Set of Recommendations

Reflection

Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Appendices

Documentation Materials

Program Development Examples

Self-Reflection Tools

The Missing Peace: Offerings from the Study of Adoption, Culture, and Identity A Capstone Presented By Laura X. Williams 魏倪香(WèiNí Xiāng) Submitted to the Welch Center for Graduate Studies of Goucher College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS May 2018 CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY Capstone Committee Amy Skillman, Advisor Rita Moonsammy, Reader Joy Lieberthal Rho, Reader Figure 1: Tangles, Water Design Mandala 1 Copyright © 2018 by Laura X. Williams All rights reserved 1 “[Escapepatterns.com](Escapepatterns.com),” Pinterest, accessed April 30, 2018, [http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-)[ ](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-)[66JChD3b3Cw/Ucu6IXYYEUI/AAAAAAAAFYY/aOh5vxPOyPA/s1600/Calgary](66JChD3b3Cw/Ucu6IXYYEUI/AAAAAAAAFYY/aOh5vxPOyPA/s1600/Calgary)+(123)wb.jpg. Dedication To our belonging with one another “It’s the people we love most who can make us feel the gladdest and the maddest! Love andanger are such a puzzle!” –Fred Rogers in Wisdom from The World According to Mister Rogers2 2 Fred Rogers, Wisdom from The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember (New York: Peter Pauper Press, Inc., 2003), 32. Abstract The purpose of this capstone is to expand cultural sustainability practice by investigating how emerging adult Chinese adoptees living in the United States negotiate identity formation and belonging. To understand the multifaceted experience of being a transnational, transracial adoptee means to understand a robust convergence of time, place, and culture. Drawing from two-years of interviews and focus groups with eight female emerging adult Chinese adoptees, I argue there exists a Chinese adoptee culture in the United States with unique needs and nuanced dimensions. Therefore, I situate this capstone at the apex of anthropology, psychology, sociology, and folklore to demonstrate how cultural sustainability practice can lift identities in diaspora, strengthen family ties, and lead to wider social change. I conclude with reflection on what it is like to be an adoptee working in adoption and then offer a set of recommendations of ways to better reconcile vast differences between cultures. Key words: Chinese adoptee, Cultural Sustainability, Belonging, Identity, Reconciliation Table of Contents Abstract......................................................................................................................................... iv [Acknowledgements](Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... vi)[ ...................................................................................................................... vi](Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... vi) [Prologue](Prologue ...............................)[ ...............................](Prologue ...............................)........................................................................................................ vii Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 Part Curiosity: Review of Literature .......................................................................................... 5 Leaving China ............................................................................................................................. 5 The Mandala of Adoption ......................................................................................................... 10 Adoption Advocacy................................................................................................................... 36 Part Practice: Methodology ....................................................................................................... 42

FAQs

What is the central purpose of the capstone?

The capstone aims to expand cultural sustainability practice by exploring how emerging adult Chinese adoptees in the United States negotiate identity formation and belonging.

What research method does the capstone use?

It draws on two years of interviews and focus groups with eight female emerging adult Chinese adoptees.

What conclusions and recommendations does the capstone provide?

It argues that a distinct Chinese adoptee culture exists in the United States with unique needs, and it offers recommendations for reconciling vast differences between cultures.

Sep 11, 2026

Upload by Violet