Transracial Adoption

The Advocate's Point of View

Advocates for transracial adoption argue that:

• The family experience is more important than growing up in a same-race environment; orphaned children are better off received care and love from a family unit, regardless of skin color.
  
  
• Transracial adoption is a perfect solution for a racially divided world and will go a long way towards true integration.
  
  
• Transracial adoption from developing countries provides an excellent opportunity to "save" an individual from the challenges of an economically disadvantaged environment by bringing them to a more prosperous one where they will have many more opportunities than would otherwise be available to them.
  
  
• It's a great way for a childless family to build a family, while doing some good in the world.
  
  
• The research has so far supported transracial adoption as an effective option for homeless children; most children are just as well-adjusted and happy as others.
  
  

The Dissenter's Point of View

• Transracially adopted children growing up in White or other race families won't learn about their culture or be able to develop positive, healthy self-images.
  
  
• White parents can never truly relate to and therefore, prepare transracially adopted children for the negative experiences they will have in a racially divided world.
  
  
• White or other race parents will not be able to adequately care for the unique needs of children who are racially different (e.g. hair and/or skin care).
  
  
• You cannot separate the political issues from transracial adoption - if African American children, for example, are not taught to relate to and/or identify with the issues faced by their communities, they will be less likely to support the political agendas of the African-American community.
  
  
• Some families may find that the only reason they would even consider adopting a child from another race is almost completely based on the relative ease and lower cost associated with adoptions involving children of color; This hardly speaks well for the family's motivation and preparation to handle the issues that come along with raising a child of color.
  
  
• The children will grow up to resent the parents for "stealing" them away from their home countries, cultures, languages, customs and extended family, and will forever be engaged in a search to identify their true identities, culture, relatives.

Diaries written by parents who have gone through the process of exploring transracial adoptions abound on the internet. There are success stories. There are also sad stories.

Still, experts maintain that adequate reflection and preparation can pave the way to a successful experience. Recommendations include:

• Reflect on your reasons for wanting a child from another race - what are they?
  
  
• Reflect on your experience with race and culture - how might your awareness and/or lack of awareness influence your ability to parent a child of another race?
  
  
• Reflect on your daily life - how is diversity a part of it?; if you live in a homogeneous town, for example, what considerations might you make to support the healthy integration of a child of another race?
  
  
• If you find yourself thinking 'race doesn't matter,' acknowledge now that you're wrong, and instead learn about the experiences others have had; how might you support a non-White child through these experiences?
  
  
• If you are White, explore the concept of White privilege and examine how it has played a role in your life.
  
  
• Get comfortable talking about race and culture - start now.
  
  
• How might you begin, even now, to demonstrate your intolerance for bias and prejudice.
  
  
• Identify a support network - whether family members, a spouse, close friends, or friends of other races.
  
  
• Identify supportive resources that can help your child develop a familiarity with his/her cultural/racial background; recognize the fine balance between alienating your child by constantly reminding him that he is different and supporting a healthy exploration of his culture/race.

These are but a few examples of the considerations you will need to make if you are to adoption cross-racially. A link to a live forum where expert guidance can be found: Moderated by Michelle Johnson and John Raible.