Background Information about Amerasians
Amerasians are unique individuals who were born in Asia from a American military father and an Asian mother. Particularly in South Korea, many of these Amerasians were born from the Korean government establishing "Camptowns", where women who were affected by the post-war poverty are turn to prostitution with American soldiers. Although not all Amerasians were conceived from prostitution, these "Camptowns" undoubtedly lead to this stereotyping of mixed-race children, even if the military father married the Korean mother.
The South Korean government did not respond positively to mixed-race children, as mothers of Amerasians could not pass along their citizenship to their offspring. Because the South Korean government did not view Amerasians as Korean citizens, it was easy for them to remove them from the nation via international adoption since they were viewed as "foreigners". This has made the acceptance of Amerasians and integration into Korean society, incredibly difficult. The mixed-race of Amerasians have lead to racism as well as stigmas of their mothers being prostitutes.
The South Korean government did not respond positively to mixed-race children, as mothers of Amerasians could not pass along their citizenship to their offspring. Because the South Korean government did not view Amerasians as Korean citizens, it was easy for them to remove them from the nation via international adoption since they were viewed as "foreigners". This has made the acceptance of Amerasians and integration into Korean society, incredibly difficult. The mixed-race of Amerasians have lead to racism as well as stigmas of their mothers being prostitutes.
Since the South Korean government had a "pureblood" image of their nation, they encouraged mixed-race children to be adopted. The Korean Ministry of Health and Social Affairs estimated that by 1954, more than 400 Amerasians in South Korea. This lead to the creation of International adoption and by 1954, the South Korean government actively encouraged the Amerasian adoption while the United States Congress passed the 1953 Refugee Relief Act which allowed 4000 Amerasians for adoption.
United States Congress passed the 1953 Refugee Relief Act which allowed 4000 Amerasians for adoption.Before 1998, all Amerasians born in South Korea had no citizenship or legal social standings. If the American father also did not claim his offspring, than the child would be ineligible for US citizenship as well, leaving them without a home. Since many of these children were essentially "stateless" and mothers, whether they wanted to or not, were essentially forced to give up their offspring for adoption since the child did not have any access to education, healthcare, or future employment. Many mothers realized out of love, that if their Amerasian offspring would be adopted, than the child could at least gain citizenship in the United States, where they would have access to public services and a country where they could call "home".
United States Congress passed the 1953 Refugee Relief Act which allowed 4000 Amerasians for adoption.Before 1998, all Amerasians born in South Korea had no citizenship or legal social standings. If the American father also did not claim his offspring, than the child would be ineligible for US citizenship as well, leaving them without a home. Since many of these children were essentially "stateless" and mothers, whether they wanted to or not, were essentially forced to give up their offspring for adoption since the child did not have any access to education, healthcare, or future employment. Many mothers realized out of love, that if their Amerasian offspring would be adopted, than the child could at least gain citizenship in the United States, where they would have access to public services and a country where they could call "home".