User:WritingStudentMP/Child of deaf adult

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A child of deaf adult, often known by the acronym "coda", is a person who was raised by one or more deaf parents or guardians. Ninety percent of children born to deaf adults can hear normally, resulting in a significant and widespread community of codas around the world, although whether the child is hearing, D/deaf, or HH (hard of hearing) has no effect on the definition. The acronym koda (kid of deaf adult) is sometimes used to refer to codas under the age of 18.

The term was coined by Millie Brother who also founded the organization CODA, which serves as a resource and a center of community for children of deaf adults as an oral and a sign language, and bicultural, identifying with both deaf and hearing cultures. Codas often navigate the border between the deaf and hearing worlds, serving as liaisons between their deaf parents and the hearing world in which they reside.

The coda identity

Many codas do not identify with the "hearing world" or the "deaf world". Rather, they simply identify as codas: a bridge between the two "worlds" as they often find themselves in the middle of two. While codas might find some similarities between themselves and their hearing peers, they might also find that their upbringing within the Deaf community and culture sets them apart. Codas with cochlear implantation are often even more mixed between these worlds. They communicate with their families through signing but with the hearing world through talking. (add my source)

Potential challenges facing hearing codas

In addition, codas are often exposed to prejudice against their family. The isolation can deprive the child of normal social skills. Many people may assume that the entire family is deaf because they are all able to sign and communicate in this manner. Bystanders may make negative comments about the deaf community in that family's presence, not realizing the child can hear.[citation needed] Deaf parents may not adequately understand that while a deaf person can look away or close their eyes, a hearing person cannot choose to ignore hurtful words so easily.[citation needed] The codas might often keep the hurtful comments to themselves adding additional weight to the already difficult circumstances.