“Physiologically, I am hearing, but psychologically, I am Deaf.” Identity: Lived experiences of hearing children born in families with Deafness in South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore hearing children of Deaf adult’s (CODAs) experiences of belonging and affiliation within the Deaf and hearing community. Respondents consisted of 10 CODAs between the ages 21 and 40 years of age, recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. They completed semi-structured interviews on their experiences of belonging and affiliation within the Deaf culture. Thematic analysis of the data revealed two broad themes: (i) being torn between two worlds and (ii) stigma and feelings of embarrassment. Most CODAs affiliate with both cultures, and with a clear preference for the Deaf community. They attributed their preference for the Deaf community from sense of family and deaf language learning. Their sense of embarrassment appeared to be from stigma attached to having Deaf parents as well as using sign language in public. Programs for promoting biculturalism of hearing children of Deaf parents may enhance their self-acceptance and identity development.