I am a S. Korea-born/American raised, mother of 2 hapa kids; a
late-bloomer, graduate student, self-described outdoor cat and
all-around truth-seeker.
e-mail: harlowmonkey at gmail dot com
In the 1950’s, psychologist Harry Harlow
began a series of experiments on baby monkeys, depriving them of their
biological mothers and using substitute wire and terry cloth covered
"mothers". Harlow’s goal was to study the nature of attachment and how
it affects monkeys who were deprived of their mothers early in life.
As an unwitting participant in the human form of Harlow’s monkey
experiment, known as trans-racial or trans-cultural adoption, I am
constantly seeking to expand my knowledge and understanding of the
life-long ramifications of these types of social experiments.
According to the State Department, in 2005, over 21,500 children
immigrated to the United States for the purpose of adoption, the
majority of these children left their native homeland, language,
customs, foods and religions for a middle-class, white, American home.
The majority of these children also come from a country in which they
were part of the racial hegemeny, only to now be part of a racial
minority.
I am a S. Korea-born/American raised, mother of 2 hapa kids; a
late-bloomer, graduate student, self-described outdoor cat and
all-around truth-seeker. Welcome all fellow Harlow Monkeys and others.
In the words of Euripides, "There is no greater sorrow on Earth
than the loss of one’s native land (Medea, v. 650-0651)."
For more on Harry Harlow and his monkey experiments, see:
Harlow's Monkey 