Richard Ko
October 11,1998

More foreign adoptees return to homelands to adopt children

This article is talking about more foreign adoptees returning their homelands to adopt children. Dreher is one of them, and she always has been proud of her heritage. She thinks, that compared with her life 25 to 30 years ago, her kids are adjusting much easier to the diversity. She had difficulties getting used to the life when she was adopted from Korea at age 7, because there were not many Korean adoptees and resources about her native country. However, her parents always incorporated her Korean heritage into her life by giving her Korean dolls, clothes, and taking her to Korean restaurants. Finally, they helped her to travel back to her native country to meet her biological mother. For her kid, Allyson, for example, it would be easier for her to live in a foreign country. Her mother tries to do the same thing to her as her grandparents did to her mother. Also, there are more and more Korean adoptees in Minn, and schools and some organizations provide some programs such as Korean music, dance, and cultural awareness day. Naturally, her children become more culturally aware and grow up well understanding two kinds of cultures.

I chose the article because there was a similar case that occurred in my country. The difference was that the kid was stolen first, sold to Australia and then adopted by a white couple. It must be very difficult for a little kid who was adopted by a foreign couple to live in another country. Dreher was impacted by the lack of resources which could keep the connection between her and her native country. It is natural for her to be proud of her heritage to be want to go back to the place where she was born. After all, that is the real feeling of “Home”. The adjustment of Dreher’s adoption is made easier because there are more resources and more people adopting kids. I like this article because she expressed the character of Asian peoples. They have spent lots of effort on protecting, passing down and expressing the culture. Therefore, when I read it, I can see into Dreher’s mind.

instill (v)~inculcate

“Now, as she raises her own family, she relies on that knowledge to help her instill a strong sense of heritage in her children.

incorporate (v)~include

“Dreher says her parents always incorporated her Korean heritage into their lives, giving her Korean dolls and clothes and taking her to Korean restaurants.

commemorate (v)~celebrate commemoration (n) commemorative (adj)

“The Drehers cook not only Korean food but also German food to commemorate James Dreher’s German heritage.

foster (adj.)

“The Drehers also have two biological children and three foster children.

heritage (n)~inheritance

“Though she doesn’t want to push her kids, Dreher tries to incorporate their heritage into their everyday life through the many resources available in Minnesota.