[Raidra]

We're just starting out on our path to adoption, and while I feel pulled towards adopting from Ethiopia, I have some reservations.

My two biological children are very fair, as is my whole family. There are very few black people (or any minority, for that matter) in the city we live in. We don't have any black friends and honestly, rarely see any black people when we're out and about. I run a large parenting group and of all our members, I haven't met anyone who isn't white.

Personally, I don't have a problem adopting a child who isn't white, but I worry about how he/she will feel growing up in an area where he is the extreme minority. I think our city is pretty tolerant and open-minded, but then, I haven't really been in many situations where that issue would come up. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
-Rachel

[bajj]

IMHO, it is important for children to see others of their race. That's not to say that a child would automatically be depressed or disturbed if brought into a white family. I would recommend reading on the subject. Have you read Inside Transracial Adoption or any other books on the subject?

I wish you luck on your journey!

[jaenelle]

Well, we live in a small, almost all-white town and we will be adopting a black or biracial baby. We are lucky to live near several larger cities and we will try very hard to expose our child to others of their race. We have discussed moving to a larger town if we need to when our child starts school, and we will be looking for a racially mixed church, etc. We have read lots of books on the subject and plan to read many more. Good luck!