My Cultural Background
My Cultural Background
Alta Burwell
Saint Leo University
Abstract
Being adopted, I will focus on my family that raised me. My adopted mother was very unique in the fact; she was in her sixties when she “obtained” me. Nothing about my adoption was legal. My whole childhood was rare and why I began questioning it around age 12. I was blessed and I was miserable while I worked through my childhood, family issues, school, and church. In the end, it all made me who I am and for that, I’ll always be thankful. Even amongst the strangeness of it all my story is unique in a cultural way.
How It All Came Into Existence for Me
Being raised in a strict Baptist home had its moments. Add to that the age of my adoptive mother and it was unlike any of my friend’s parents and homes so I noticed that rather early. My mom was in her 60’s when she took me from my birth parents and we moved to Lakeland Florida. I never had a father. I was told my mom’s husband died years before. [ (Gray, 1979) ] All her children were grown except my brother, Donald, who was nine years older. Therefore, my mom knew time was close that would cause her to be alone again and something she couldn’t handle. Because she didn’t do it legally, she had to have family members and friends go to court and swear I was her natural child to obtain a Florida birth certificate. [ (Gray, 1979) ] This took along and delayed my first grade year. So, she taught me at home until I could start school. I knew all the basics a first grader should along with much more. I knew all times tables, spelling, writing, and reading most learned by fourth grade. I couldn’t leave a big leather chair every day until I knew my lesson.
We never wore pants or shorts, only dresses or skirts. I wasn’t allowed to pierce my ears, or wear my hair down. My mom would tell me daily, if I let her pull it up it will grow faster. So, after our daily arguments about my
Alta Burwell
Saint Leo University
Abstract
Being adopted, I will focus on my family that raised me. My adopted mother was very unique in the fact; she was in her sixties when she “obtained” me. Nothing about my adoption was legal. My whole childhood was rare and why I began questioning it around age 12. I was blessed and I was miserable while I worked through my childhood, family issues, school, and church. In the end, it all made me who I am and for that, I’ll always be thankful. Even amongst the strangeness of it all my story is unique in a cultural way.
How It All Came Into Existence for Me
Being raised in a strict Baptist home had its moments. Add to that the age of my adoptive mother and it was unlike any of my friend’s parents and homes so I noticed that rather early. My mom was in her 60’s when she took me from my birth parents and we moved to Lakeland Florida. I never had a father. I was told my mom’s husband died years before. [ (Gray, 1979) ] All her children were grown except my brother, Donald, who was nine years older. Therefore, my mom knew time was close that would cause her to be alone again and something she couldn’t handle. Because she didn’t do it legally, she had to have family members and friends go to court and swear I was her natural child to obtain a Florida birth certificate. [ (Gray, 1979) ] This took along and delayed my first grade year. So, she taught me at home until I could start school. I knew all the basics a first grader should along with much more. I knew all times tables, spelling, writing, and reading most learned by fourth grade. I couldn’t leave a big leather chair every day until I knew my lesson.
We never wore pants or shorts, only dresses or skirts. I wasn’t allowed to pierce my ears, or wear my hair down. My mom would tell me daily, if I let her pull it up it will grow faster. So, after our daily arguments about my