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Growing Within Our Hearts. Explorations in the Faith Development and Religious Education of Adopted Children and Their Parents
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Baratte, Linda L. |
| Copyright Year | 2002 |
| Abstract | This paper is a case study showing the interplay of religious education and curriculum development with the lived experience to be found in the private, familial, and community life of people of faith who have been touched by the phenomenon of adoption. It begins with a brief survey of the literature, showing the new permutations of adoption in the United States today and setting out in broad strokes the psychological and social agenda of adopted children and their families. It places the demand for an engagement with religious education in the context of the new “technologies” which bring hope to the challenge of infertility but may split biologic from social parenting; with the new face of adoption in its international complexion; and with a new embrace of special needs adoption -each making a sense of religious rootedness and identity more of a challenge. It summarizes the findings of the few studies addressing the spiritual and religious development of adopted children and makes recommendations for religious education resource development with children, adults, and families. Using the methodology and theoretical constructs from process thinkers and practical theologians, it identifies religious rituals that can support, celebrate, and validate new families and new family members. “Our selfrepresentation, the way we define who we are, takes the shape of the life story we tell. What we remember, what we stress as significant, and what we omit of our past defines our present. And since the boundaries of our self-definition also delimit our hopes and aspirations, this personal history affects our future. If we see ourselves as victimized, as powerless and overwhelmed by forces we cannot understand or control, we will choose to live cautiously, avoid conflict and evade pain. If we see ourselves as loved, grounded, powerful, we will embrace the future, live courageously, and accept challenges |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://old.religiouseducation.net/member/04_papers/Baratte.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
