Another question about clans--adopted children

**TheOfficialBren** · 14th July 13, 11:44 PM

I was unaware of many of these customs when I started this thread. I can appreciate that it is a deeply personal subject and appreciate the annecdotes shared herein. There is much to learn from the ladies and gentlemen here.

**Father Bill** · 15th July 13, 07:14 AM

Yeah. We're really not a bad bunch, are we!

**Laird_M** · 15th July 13, 09:37 AM

If a child is adopted, in the eyes of the law, they are fully and legally a member of that family, and therefore by default eligeble to wear your tartan should they so desire.
My stepson has alrady asked me to buy/make him a MacLeod kilt, and I am only to happy to do this. He is, afterall, MY son as far as he, his mother, my family and I are concerned.

**BBNC** · 15th August 13, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Laird_M

If a child is adopted, in the eyes of the law, they are fully and legally a member of that family, and therefore by default eligeble to wear your tartan should they so desire.
My stepson has alrady asked me to buy/make him a MacLeod kilt, and I am only to happy to do this. He is, afterall, MY son as far as he, his mother, my family and I are concerned.

My 6 year old granddaughter is adopted from Kiev, Ukraine. She became a legal member of our family, and a US citizen, as soon as her adoption documents cleared the required court hearing. She gave the most memorable reaction upon seeing my kilt for the first time, "mama, grandpa is wearing a skirt!" My daughter had to explain what a kilt was, because Katie still speaks a mixture of English and Russian.

**theSaj** · 10th January 14, 05:11 PM

We generally think of adoption with a touch of astrocization. Especially more recent centuries. Though that has greatly lessened in the past century.

But this was NOT always the case, especially in earlier and more primal cultures. In Roman era, adoption was considered a stronger legal binding than natural birth. Apparently the argument could be made that a natural born son was NOT the son you wanted. Where as that could not be made in regards to an adopted son. In fact, it was not uncommon to adopt ones own child. By doing so, this affirmed that individual as the chosen heir.

Likewise, in earlier cultures, it was not uncommon for someone who had done a great favor or earned respect in some way to be adopted either into a family or a clan. You'll discover a great many "white men" were part of native american tribes and cultures. You young man have done me a great service. I embrace you as my son, now here...marry my daughter. LOLZ.

Many cultures also had the tradition of war babies. Where an orphaned infant or child found after battle was taken to replace the recent lost of a blood child (often due to disease, illness or the same said war).

But in many of these cases there was a strong acceptance that though not blood. The tie was beyond blood on a spiritual/soul level.

My understanding today, is that most of the Scottish Clans look at such in like manner. I am not a scot by blood, but by adoption. And may my Italian and Kossack blood make my Scot heritage equally pround as we stand side by side.

And let us also not be to far from remembering, that when we fill out all these little bubbles on ethnicities and race. That we should never forget that we all fill in one bubble under race, that is "human".

"TOUCH NOT THE CAT BOT A GLOVE"

**Laird_M** · 13th January 14, 02:49 AM

Its not just in ancient cultures, its still persists to an exstent today.
About 20 years ago I spent some time in the deep Sahara with a tribe of Toureg. Learnt a LOT from them about desert survivial and even had the chance to teach them some of my meagre bushcraft skills. One of the greatest adventures of my life, and at the end 'Grandfather' adopted me into the tribe as his 'Grandson'. A truly unexpected honour.