Most commonly, when transracial adoption is mentioned the ideal situation involves white parents adopting African-American children; this is the majority of transracial adoptions. However, there are many other types of transracial adoption that do not receive the attention that is deserved when truly trying to understand how transracial adoption impacts thousands of lives.
Here are a few of the varying types of transracial adoption and things to consider before involving yourself in that type of transracial adoption:
African-American/Biracial Adoption
There is a strong need for families to adopt African-American children, or biracial children that are part African-American. Because of this, more families are choosing to adopt African-American children and it is becoming more common to see Caucasian, Hispanic and other families expanding their family through the adoption of an African-American or biracial child.
If you are considering adopting a black or biracial child, you may wish to study African-American culture to share this with your child. There are many children's books available that are African-American themed as well as dolls and other toys that will allow your child to embrace their ethnic background. Popular toy manufacturers, including Barbie and American Girl, offer African-American dolls. You also may wish to join playgroups or other organizations that will allow your child to interact with other African-American children. Playgroups are easily found through church or other religious organizations throughout a community or you can organize your own with friends, neighbors and other associates with children close to the age of your child.
Hispanic Adoption
More families also are choosing to adopt a child with a Hispanic background. Throughout America, the Hispanic community continues to grow and today is one of the largest, most influential communities in the nation. Couples choosing to adopt a Hispanic child may wish to learn more about Hispanic traditions, including traditional food, stories and celebrations. Families adopting a Hispanic child may wish to learn to speak Spanish and raise their child in a bilingual home. Families also may join playgroups or other organizations that will allow the child to interact with other Hispanic children or families. These playgroups may be found at church or other religious organizations, or organize your own! If you know of any other Hispanic families in your community with children similar in age to your child, simply plan times for your children to play together, or ask them if they know of any other Hispanic families looking to form a playgroup.
Asian Adoption
With the rise of international adoptions, it is also becoming more common for families to adopt Asian children. However, you don't have to adopt overseas to adopt a child with an Asian background, as there are many Asian children available for adoption in the U.S.
Families wishing to adopt an Asian child are encouraged to learn more about Asian culture, including traditions, holidays and stories. There also are many children's books available that focus on traditional Asian themes and stories that will allow your child to identify with their culture at a young age.
Indian/Native American Adoption
Many families are also choosing to adopt a Native-American child. While there are many Native-American children available for adoption, there are also special laws governing the adoption of Native American children.
To protect the interest of Native American children and tribes, the U.S. government enacted the Indian/Native American Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Couples wishing to adopt a Native American child must ensure that all mandates of ICWA are satisfied in order to adopt the child. American Adoptions is fully experienced with the ICWA mandates and has handled hundreds of adoptions involving Native-American children. If ICWA applies to your adoption, this service is included in our legal services, which we provide to all of our waiting families.
Families adopting a Native-American child 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 also wish to seek out other Native-American families in their community to allow their child to interact with other Native-American children and families.
Adopting Transracially - Tips for Families
However, families considering transracial adoption should also note that adopting a child of a different race also comes with its own set of unique considerations. Families adopting a child of a different race should be prepared to teach their adopted child about their ethnicity and should foster a home environment that is open and loving of all races and cultures. As the child grows, adoptive parents should be prepared to answer questions their child may have about their own ethnic and cultural identity.
Experts also suggest adoptive parents of transracially adopted children:
- 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 neighborhood
- 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
