Reculturation

(Reculturation peer-reviewed article by Dr. Amanda Baden)

Reculturation is an ongoing and personal process for each of us. In a 2012 paper that defines reculturation, transracial transnational country adoptee and psychologist, Dr. Amanda L. Baden, writes, “Reculturation is a process of identity development and navigation through which adoptees develop their relationship to their birth and adoptive cultures via reculturative activities and experiences[...] Reculturation can be an active or a passive process and is initiated by adoptees themselves, not their adoptive parents. In essence, reculturation can be viewed as reclaiming one’s birth culture” (p. 390). On a surface level when we look at our culture, looking first at food, dance, music can be a good start. Whether you have visited Colombia, are in reunion or not with your first family, there are still ways to reconnect to your culture. We encourage you to develop your own process of reculturation. In addition, we believe that collaboration is a key aspect to community building. You can help us build a reculturation resource that is organized by region by sharing with us your favorite local Colombian restaurants, musical bands, soccer bars, festivals, art exhibits, etc.