Transracial adoption is a source of controversy. Some feel that youngsters should be adopted by a family in which one parent shares the child s ethnicity in order to promote positive self esteem and racial identity. Others think that an honest, genuine love for a child is the most important thing, and the child s race should not play a role in the selection of an adoptive family.
Prospective adoptive parents must understand that not having any prejudice within themselves is not sufficient. Contemplating what multicultural adoptive family life is like before choosing to adopt a child of a different race is essential for prospective adoptive parents. In addition to reading books and websites on transracial adoption, it s advisable to enrol on a transracial educational program and to speak with adoption experts.
It is necessary to discuss racial prejudice and racism as a family to help the adopted child overcome the likely concerns they will have. When welcoming a child of a different race into your family, everything is outwardly focused and family members need to adjust to being noticeable in the community. You must also set about making sure that your home is a racially diverse one, with books, music and movies representing the child s race, adoptive families help instill a strong and positive self esteem for the child and also develop awareness of racial issues for your family as a whole.
Transracial adoptive families need to extend their social network by connecting with people who are the same race as the child through both friendships and professional relationships. Diversity racially should be looked for when choosing schools, health professionals and youth groups. Transracially adopted children also benefit from going to places where they are part of the ethic majority.
People may often assume that the child is from a different country and will address their questions as such, and people you hardly know might make statement or ask questions in derogatory ways. You need to be on constant alert to set straight less than positive experiences and may find it necessary to move to a more culturally diverse area so that the child can be surrounded by role models of a variety of races.
Though life as a transracial adoptive family can sometimes be difficult, there are also lots of positive aspects about being a multicultural family. It will be a culturally rewarding experience if the family chooses to expand their cultural horizons.
If you feel that adopting transracially would be benefical to both your family and potential adoptees, then you have three ways of proceeding with the adoption process...
1) Private Domestic Adoption : An agency acts as an intermediary, bringing together potential adoptive parents and families who want to place a child in the care of others.
2) Foster Care Adoption : This is a type of domestic adoption where a child is initially placed in public care; from there they are then placed with their adoptive parents.
3) International Adoption : Used when the family wishing to place their child in the care of others are located in a different country to where prospective adoptive parents are being sought.
Once a suitable child has been found, you will undergo a probationary period of adoption during which the child lives with you full time. After the child has been in your home for at least six months, and a social worker has submitted a recommendation for approval, a judge will finalize the adoption by awarding the you full parental rights and responsibilities.
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