Part of how teens form identity is by finding ways they are alike and different from their family. They may want to search for their genetic relatives to figuring out who they are and how to emotionally put pieces in place.
Dealing with the Unwanted Spotlight
When children enter a family as older children or teens, or even when older children who are adopted move from one school setting to another, some of the ordinary issues of school life can become complicated for them.
Confronting Stereotypes and Prejudice About Adoption
“Adopted Teen Arrested,” the newspaper headline reads (never “Birth Teen Arrested”). Is this just another example of sensationalism by the media or do adopted teens get into more trouble than their non-adopted peers?
Creating a History for Your Teen During Infancy
What we record now about our child will help him or her later in the difficult teen task of forging a positive identity.