Inside Interracial Adoption
Adoption in general may be unfamiliar to many. It can be very insensitive to the people it is trying to serve: the children. The process should entail finding the best family for the child who needs one, as opposed to finding the best child for the family who wants one. When the factor of an adoption that crosses racial boundaries is added to the equation, strong opinions may surface. One may begin by asking the basic question: "What is race?" According to Carleton Coon, author of The Origin of Races, "Race is a zoological concept meaning a division of a species. A species is a collection of animals that will breed together when they get a chance..."1 Furthermore, "...race is a relative and comparative term designating, for example, 'white people' versus 'black people.' There is no harm in referring to them as such as long as one realizes that each group is not homogenous but is itself variable and overlapping with some members of contrasting groups."2 The very word "race" becomes difficult to define, since there is no pure strain of white people and black people. For all practical purposes here, it is easiest to use the common definition, which is gauging what race one belongs to based
Speaking in terms of physical needs, it is important that the parents possess an ability ". 28 It takes a special kind of person to accept additional responsibilities and hardships that raising a child of another race brings. 27 As intimidating as that may sound, it is a consideration one must keep in mind when contemplating an interracial adoption. 40 Long-term sensitivity would encompass dealing with the rest of the family. "Interracial adoption encourages more openness when talking about hot topics. Interracial adoption is not for everyone. "17 Along with this misguided view, the group mentality of black social workers is that they would rather see black children "placed in permanent foster care, adopted by welfare families, or placed in institutions than be adopted by whites. Black social workers, who are very familiar with the way adoptions proceed, have become hostile about the policies of placing black children. "Of the roughly 440,000 children who currently languish in America's foster care system, 20,000 are available for adoption. Critics of interracial adoptions use this issue to support their point, when in fact, it is an issue that strengthens the argument favoring interracial adoption. 21 Considering the common geographical location of each of these states, that statistic is understandable.
Common topics in this essay:
Placement Act,
Races Race,
Interracial Pride,
Carolina21 Considering,
Cenie Williams,
Workers NABSW,
Adoption Adoption,
Leaving African-American,
Adoption Associates,
interracial adoption,
Door Society,
child race,
black social workers,
transracial adoptions,
adoption couple,
black child,
positive self-image,
adopt transracially,
white parents,
black social,
foster care,
interracial adoption couple,
child suffer identity,
suffer identity crisis,
adoption couple consider,
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Acceptance Essays
