Issues Involving Children of Deaf & HoH Adults
I am a CODA myself.
Overall I thought this piece was well written.
Little was written though about 'role models' for CODA children, as often CODAs have to choose between hearing OR deaf role models (of which they are really neither), which can create tension, friction, and even confusion in the family.
Often a hearing grandparent or uncle will become a predominant hearing role model for a CODA child, and/or enforce a role in the deaf CODA family, creating a divided set of allegiances in the family.
As a result, a power play may emerge amongst the hearing/deaf members of the immediate/extended family for control of the CODA child, with the CODA child not knowing who to follow, or who to please the most.
Furthermore, the CODA child may have a problem in finding a role model in either society, as he/she feels different to both, and hence may not "gel" in either society.
This may lead to friendship problems (I'm not really like you (hearing) - or - I'm not Deaf either), and even problems in finding a partner as well.
Some CODAs wander through many communities, both within their nation or overseas, looking for a place of "belonging" without finding.
Extreme loneliness can result, even suicidal tendencies can result.
Some shed their deaf connections and live in the hearing world, feeling like second class citizens, or others live in the Deaf world, and ignore the hearing.
Rarely do they find a balance between the hearing AND deaf worlds.
