TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION IN AMERICA Makaela Cardwell

WHAT IS TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION? Transracial adoption, also known as interracial adoption, refers to the adoption of a child that is of a different race than that of the adoptive parents.

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION PROSCONS Availability: 40% of adoptees in the United States are of a different race than their adopted parents. Family Acceptance: At this time, grandparents grew up in an era where races did not mix and they may worry that this will affect you and your other children. Give them time to accept the idea of having a family member of a different race. Assimilation: Having a child of a different race makes it hard to hide the fact that they are adopted. You will never wonder when to “tell” or not tell. Standing Out: As your child grows, they might feel the burden of standing out. Parents will need to take extra steps to ensure their child develops a sense of racial heritage and pride in who they are.

A FAMILY’S EXPERIENCE This is one family’s experience and advice to those who are considering transracial adoption. They discuss the hardships and benefits of being an African American child in a Caucasian family.

ADOPTING AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN IN AMERICA o There is a vast shortage of families seeking to adopt African American children in the United States. o American Adoptions created the Agency- Assisted Program to aid families seeking to adopt African American children. o There is a lower wait time experienced by families in the Agency-Assisted Program. This is because fewer families are open to adopting children of African American descent and families in this program receive a higher exposure to expectant mothers.

HISPANIC & ASIAN ADOPTION IN AMERICA  Because the Hispanic and Asian communities continue to grow, couples adopting Asian or Hispanic children may wish to learn more about the traditions of these cultures.  Education on traditional foods, stories, and celebrations allow the child to identify with their culture at a young age.  Families may join play groups or other organizations that will allow their children to interact with other children of the same racial/cultural descent. lucylaituenchausheen.wordpress.com

NATIVE AMERICAN ADOPTION Although there are many Native American children up for adoption, there are special laws governing the adoption of Native American Children. Indian Child Welfare Act: Couple must ensure that all mandates of ICWA are satisfied. Families adopting Native American children are encouraged to research the child’s tribe of origin in order to share with the child the traditions, celebrations, dress, and other tribe customs. Families may seek to contact other Native American families in the community so that their child can interact with other Native American children. old-photos.blogspot.com

ARE YOU CONSIDERING TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION? Beth Hall, adoption educator and co-founder of Pact, An Adoption Alliance, gives advice for parents considering transracial adoption.

TIPS FOR PARENTS WHO ADOPTED INTERRACIALLY Allow the child to interact with other people and children of the child’s race or ethnicity. Read books about transracial adoption or the child’s culture. Take a foreign language class to learn the child’s native language. Consider living in a multicultural neighbourhood. Find same-race mentors and role models for the child. Confront racism openly. Cook ethnic dishes from the child’s culture. Celebrate all cultures, including the child’s. Take part in homeland tours and culture camps to expose the child to the traditions, customs, and stories of their race or culture. gazette.gmu.edu

RESOURCES FOR TRANSRACIAL FAMILIES  PACT, An Adoption Alliance: Serves adopted children of color by providing adoptive placement and lifelong education, support, and community for adoptees and their families.  Adoptioninformation.com: Provides questions to ask, support, and personal perspectives for those who are considering transracial adoption.  National Adoption Center: Information and online parenting courses for those that have adopted children from minority cultures. North Carolina  Triangle Interracial Families (Cary, NC): Offers support online and off for parents and their children in an interracial family. They have online discussions, family day events, parents’ night out, playgroups and other daytrips for kids.  Another Choice for Black Children: Offers support for African American children and their families.

RESOURCES adoption/