[rmkadish]

i am writing an ethnography for my english class and have chosen to write about the topic of interracial adoption (not necessarily international). my main focus of the paper is how, if at all, the fact that the child is of a different race, culture, religion etc than his/her parents affects the family dynamic. i am just looking for honest experiences - if there have been no issues and your family feels whole and supportive, if there has been much struggle with parents and/or children with the concept of family, and anything in between. i truly appreciate any and all information you are

[gdaisy]

I thought I would answer your post by saying my husband and I were from the beginning very open to interracial adoptions. My husbands family come from a very traditional family. They told us when adopting that it was okay as long as it wasn't a "black baby". Well needless to say that was 20 months ago and they couldn't be more in love with our son. WE just spent Memorial Day with them and they were crying as we left. The next day they called and asked when we would be coming back. (5+ hour drive with a toddler and foster child). So needless to say ... they have changed their minds.

My grandmother in law had a good friend of a different race and they were discussing my son one day. The friend stated that if you take your skin off and the child's skin off what do you have.... a baby. And you need to love them no matter what. This has rang true with her and my son to this day!

Hope this helps!

[rmkadish]

yes, thank you so much, that helps immensely! it's a beautiful story, and it's so wonderful to hear that love and humanity transcended all in the case of your family.

[GuatMommy2Be]

Our daughter is Guatemalan and it hasn't been an issue - except with my sister. She treats my daugher nicely but there have been a few slip-ups before she came home......

[embrace.the.fear]

When my Maori uncle met my english stepfather signified for me the clash that happens daily inside of myself.
My stepfather extended his hand firmly to greet him and my uncle was winded in the chest as he moved forward to hug my stepfather.
An incomfortable silence ensued.. but laughter prevailed.

[RobinKay]

Recently I have come across information about Native American adoptions. These children are called "split feathers" or "lost birds". You may be interested in googling these phrases to get more information. My BIL is a "lost bird" and has experienced all the negative things that can happen to these children, despite loving aparents.

DLN issues - Native Child and Family Rights