- Reflections
Opportunities in the 3rd space
What is the 3rd space?
There is little educational literature and research in understanding transnational Adoptees within the context of the Third Space.
Transnational Asian adoptees are a unique and understudied population that potentially faces oppression and confusion. Educational institutions are often unresponsive to the needs of immigrant groups, particularly ones with unique circumstances like transnational Asian adoptees. Not only is there a gap generally in the critical and empirical literature across fields when it comes to this population, but it is almost entirely missing from the educational literature.
As Authors Authors Witenstein, Matthew and Saito, L. Erika write in Journal Berkeley Review of Education, 2015 :
The third space illuminates both the challenges and opportunities transnational Asian adoptees experience in navigating their identities. Transnational Adoptees are “severed, estranged, and isolated” from their birthplace while they are “marginalized” and “otherized” in their Western host countries. Derived within this space are iterative representations of meaning; ongoing, infinite negotiations; and an indeterminate, unsettled existence in terms of how culture is typically explained.
How does that relate to our personal experiences as transnational adoptees?
I have always reflected on the IN-BETWEEN, and understand myself also in the BEYOND space, longing to reframe our struggles into strengths. I advocate for more openness, empathy, and understanding in our society, and believe we can take inspired action in claiming that 3rd space as adoptees.
In April’s Circle, we explored how we can create more opportunities in our in-between or 3rd space.
⬇︎ Read more below
Here are some key outcomes of the opportunities we explored in our last Numaru Community Circle:
➥ FREEDOM
We have the chance to create a new, original space in which we write our own stories and define our fluid understanding. Here, we liberate ourselves from external labels, restrictions, and expectations.
➥ CONNECTION & COMMUNITY
We create a true sense of belonging and togetherness in this new space that we can not find in other spaces—overcoming loneliness or the barriers of showing up for ourselves. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable and to be seen in our complexities and nuances.
➥ EMPOWERMENT & SUPPORT
We become stronger and more confident in claiming and defining who we are in this new space. We have the inherent ability to adapt to new situations due to our narratives—we celebrate and support each other. By reframing our struggles into strengths, we can take control back, deepen our self-understanding, and grow into better versions of ourselves.
➥ CREATIVITY & SELF EXPRESSION
Feeling safe, connected, and seen nurtures our courage and willingness to communicate our stories in various forms and share our unique expressions and gifts.
➥ COLLECTIVE MISSION & ADVOCACY
We support, speak up and raise more awareness of the nuances and complexities of adoption and our individual stories and identities.