[Archive]

I am a Freshman at Loyola University Chicago. I
am white, as are both of my biological parents. My sister however is
black...she was adopted shortly before I was born. My sister and I have
grown to be the best of friends; but I have seen how difficult it was for
her to be raised in an almost entirely white family. My sister fell into
some trouble when she reached her teenage years and I've always wondered if
it had any connection to her being raised in a household that was not
dominated by her own race.

I am researching inter-racial adoption for a term paper I am writing and
also because I'm very curious as to how other families have adjusted to
having an inter-racial family due to adoption. Are there any internet sites
that would help me in my research? I'm specifically looking for numbers and
stats on inter-racial adoptions and case studies involving the point of view
of both the family's majority race members and the adopted member of a
different race. I would appreciate any help you are willing to offer.
Thank you for your time.

J Hansen

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Beth Hall

I am a Freshman at Loyola University Chicago. I

   am white, as are both of my biological parents. My sister however is

   black...she was adopted shortly before I was born. My sister and I have

   grown to be the best of friends; but I have seen how difficult it was for

   her to be raised in an almost entirely white family. My sister fell into

   some trouble when she reached her teenage years and I've always wondered if

   it had any connection to her being raised in a household that was not

   dominated by her own race.

I think that it is entirely reasonable to imagine that your sister had a different and more challenging experience than your own relating to how it feels to be raised in a white family (and perhaps environment) as a person of color. African American kids all grow up having to confront and surmount racism that still exists. Having to do this when you do not have parents or other family members going through the same thing is harder. Sometimes kids who don’t have much access to people of their own race or ethnicity fall into “trouble” in their teen years often related to trying to find themselves. When a child who hasn’t been exposed to the continuum of African American people (i.e. from all classes and walks of life), they are likely to absorb the media image of African American stereotypes as criminal, lower class and uneducated. For the transracially adopted teen, they sometimes then seek these elements thinking they are identifying with “their” people. I wonder if this describes some of what happened with your sister. Its hard to grow up without role models who are like you that are leading lives that fulfill your dreams and the values of your family. That is why it is so important for transracial parents to have intimate friends as well as influential adults of the same race as their adopted child (or at least some people of color) in their lives for their children to connect with.

   I am researching inter-racial adoption for a term paper I am writing and

   also because I'm very curious as to how other families have adjusted to

   having an inter-racial family due to adoption. Are there any internet sites

   that would help me in my research? I'm specifically looking for numbers and

   stats on inter-racial adoptions and case studies involving the point of view

   of both the family's majority race members and the adopted member of a

   different race. I would appreciate any help you are willing to offer.

   Thank you for your time.

   J Hansen

  Transracial adoption tends to be a topic that evokes strong feelings and a sense of controversy which makes it a topic of interest to many students. Many papers focus on issues of the debate, i.e., should transracial adoptions be allowed to happen and are they in the best interest of children of color, rather than the issues faced by families and children after such placements. In general this debate has been articulated by groups like the Union of Black Social Workers who have been concerned that children growing up with white parents will not be given the tools and strategies they need to feel good about themselves and survive and rise above the racism they will face throughout their lives by white parents. On the other side have been those who say all children need loving homes and cannot afford to wait for families. These groups have sometimes articulated the position that race does not matter and love can overcome all difference. Below are some points you should look at when considering both sides of the issue. You may also want to look beyond the debate to issues of parenting and identity formation for children who have already been placed transracially and whose needs now focus on finding their place in a world that is race conscious and sometimes dangerous.

* Three years ago the Senate passed a law called the Multi Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA) which was amended two years ago as the Inter Ethnic Placement Act (IEPA) a federal mandate against using race as a placement factor , which means that white parents cannot be slowed or stopped from adoption because of their race

* In general, "good" adoption practice should place the child's interests first, over and above that of adoptive or birth parents. In the context of transracial adoption this means children of color need adoptive parents who place a high value on their child’s racial identity formation and comfort.

* Limited research has shown transracial adoption to be as successful (from the point of view of stable adoptions and “adjusted” children) as same race adoption. "Failure" is more likely the older the child, regardless of the child's or parent's races.

* No child should have to give up his or her cultural identity if possible. In the best of all possible worlds, one would hope that transracial or transcultural adopted people would be fully identified with their family and white American culture as well as their birth heritage and culture. This is not to say every individual will choose to explore particular aspects of their identity to the same degree but we would hope each individual has the opportunity to learn the cultural cues and mores so that if they chose to participate they will not feel handicapped because of what they do not know.

* The notion that MEPA and IEPA and the new openness to transracial placement will solve the problem of the large numbers of children of color currently waiting in the foster care system seems naive and unrealistic. In fact, there are far more children waiting that Caucasian families coming forward to adopt them. In fact, African American families adopt at twice the rate (4% vs. 2%) that European American families do. Many white families do not want to adopt a child who is fully of another race or in particular an African American child. Racism is unfortunately alive and well. It is foolish to imagine that white families are somehow going to redress the permanency needs for the enormous numbers of kids currently in foster care. If you are interested in statistics regarding adoption in the US take a look at the information on the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse website: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/...cars/index.htm

  As a transracial adoptive parent myself, I always try to keep in mind that transracial adoption presents certain challenges that don't exist in same race adoption. Certainly my children are often asked if we are their "real" parents and other such intrusive questions. They love us but there are times when they wish they didn't have to "show" so publicly and be the object of strangers attention and curiosity. Transracial adoption is harder on kids and particularly since the world is so race conscious and racist. That is why we at Pact, we try so hard to help families and kids feel good about themselves. We now have a Federal Grant to set up programs for kids who have been transracially adopted so they can feel not only connected to their adoptive families but also to their birth culture.

  Over the past two years, we had a Federal grant which allowed Pact to create materials useful to transracial adoptive families which can be purchased through us. You can also use our website to view articles and information on the topic.

* Below The Surface

A self-assessment tool is designed to provide feedback to anyone considering adoption across racial or cultural lines, offering insight into the kinds of adjustments they may want to incorporate into their lives to support a child of a racial or ethnic heritage different from their own. Pre-adoptive parents and professionals will find this tool invaluable. These materials have been federally approved for MEPA training. Below The Surface gives pre-adoptive families the chance to quiz themselves in four areas pertinent to transracial parenting and to determine their Transracial Adoption Suitability Index. Designed as a user-friendly learning tool, this pamphlet does not debate transracial adoption; instead, it gives potential parents real tools to decide whether this choice suits them.

* Pact's BookSource

A comprehensive reference guide to over 1000 books for children and adults containing current, concise and informative referrals to the widest possible range of books related to adoption, race and family life. Each description includes reviews, ratings, a keyword guide, and a brief synopsis. The first edition is already sold out. The 2nd edition will be completed by Summer, 1999, and includes 250 new book reviews as well as updated pricing and information on all books.

* An Insider's Guide To Transracial Adoption

A comprehensive manual (over 400 pages) offering concrete strategies for dealing with the challenges of multiracial family life, development of racial identity, special issues (single, gay and Lesbian, parents of differently-abled children, etc.) and information regarding the predictable stages when children address particular racial issues, along with suggestions to offer support and direction. Inquire about bulk pricing.

* Transracial Adoption ... Being A Family of Color

A collection of articles which take a hard look at the issues, going beyond the simplistic debates to provide important information for families who have adopted either domestically or internationally. (138 pages)