The world is a melting pot of ideas and philosophies. Coincidentally, it is also a melting pot for dozens upon dozens of cultures and customs. Taking the time to learn about various cultures is a luxury that not all of us can afford. There are simple ways to pay respect to those cultures, such as reading more about them, learning the language, enjoying a meal or spending time with someone of that culture. Another way to learn about the world is through adoption.
The practice of transracial adoption has been viewed as a sensitive topic; however, this is the 21st century. It doesn’t need to be viewed as taboo or a controversial doctrine anymore. Transactional adoption is a growing phenomenon that allows families to connect to the child of their dreams. A family does not follow a specific requirement or structure. The only requirement for a family should be love.
Love knows no boundaries. It will not discriminate or leave anyone behind on the basis of skin colors or racial backgrounds. Transracial adoption in the 21st century is about spreading love and advocating for acceptance. Acceptance of the brave birth parents, courageous adoptive parents and miraculous babies.
Love is Love
“Little souls find their way to you, whether they’re from your womb or someone else’s.”
-Sheryl Crow
‘Love at first sight’ is a popular phrase used to describe romantic relationships, but it is also a perfectly wonderful phrase to illustrate the moment adoptive parents find their dream child after months, or even years, of searching. They’ll stumble upon that picture, that match, or even that birth mother who will then just click with them. A bell will ring somewhere and that’s the universe telling them this is it. It is the moment their hard work pays off and the endeavor comes to an end.
For transracial adoption, that sign might not come as loud to them because it might be silenced by other voices of disapproval. Prospective parents looking into transracial adoption will need to be resilient and amplify their own voices to overpower those negative ones. Transracial adoption in the 21st century should be normalized. It should not be something that holds people back from becoming families. Parents of transracial adoptees have the right to raise and love their children without stigma.
Transracial adoption is not an anomaly or something small. It has been around since the late 1940’s, and statistics have shown that the number of parents choosing to adopt a child outside of their racial group is growing every year. Their reason to opt for this style of adoption isn’t anything formal, they’re not doing this for tax purposes or to brag to friends. It’s simply because their love goes beyond skin color, hairstyles, and eye shapes.
Families Come in All Shapes and Colors
“Somehow destiny comes into play. These children end up with you and you end up with them. It’s something quite magical.”
-Nicole Kidman
For many years, televisions and movies have tried to define what a family should look like. They never work because they can never truly reflect the diverse and complex family structures around the country. It is also unfortunate that they never quite get adoptive families, especially transracial adoptive families. Nonetheless, we are here to tell you that families come in all colors and backgrounds. But don’t just take our word for it. Take a look at these statistics:
- 73% of adopted non-Caucasian children are adopted into Caucasian families.
- Nearly 90% of Caucasian women are willing to adopt interracially, but only half of all Caucasian women are willing to adopt a Caucasian child.
- 52% of African-American women preferred to adopt an African-American child, but 86% to 89% were willing to accept adopting a non-African-American child
- 75% of transracially adopted children have adjusted well to their new home, supporting the fact that transracial adoption can provide a stable home/environment for children in need.
One of the leading arguments against transracial adoption is that it is harmful to remove a child from their designated ethnic group and place them in an entirely different culture. While it could be a stressful time for the child, as long as adoptive parents are providing a safe space for them to develop and allowing them to learn about their culture, nothing else should matter. Learning about cultural differences is part of what being a family is. When families are able to grow together from the differences, then that bond is unbreakable.
Benefits of Transracial Adoption
“Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute, you didn’t grow under my heart but in it.”
Fleur Conkling Heyliger
Transracial adoption can bring an indescribable amount of joy. Joy, however, does not come without the accompanying hardships; so, prospective parents should spend a good amount of time on research as to whether transracial adoption is the right choice for them. Here are a couple of benefits of choosing transracial adoption:
- Learning about different cultures. This is a unique opportunity for you to learn about another culture. You can explore traditions, food, holidays, and overall, the world. Your child will also have the opportunity to learn a new perspective as they grow up. Learning languages has been proven to improve brain activity, memory, and intelligence.
- Children and parents can become more open-minded people. By incorporating more culture and customs into your family routines, you are paying tribute to the diversity the world has to offer. This will also benefit your child by allowing them to immerse in multiple cultures and perspectives that will shape their own character.
To learn more about the benefits, check out our blog Why You Should Consider Transracial Adoption.
Transracial Adoption in the 21st Century
Adoption has never been about finding children for couples, it’s about finding a home for the children. Every child has something to offer, and every child will give back an exponential amount of love to their parents. In the 21st century, there needs to be a safe environment for families to start and space for those families to connect and share ideas. If the world is a melting pot, let’s do our part to add some flavors and stir the pot together.
Adoption Choices of New York
For more information on adoption or if you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact, Adoption Choices of New York.
Support Adoption Choices
Adoption Choices, Inc. is partnering with Crowdrise, a fundraising website for nonprofits, to help our adoptive parents and birth parents with much needed financial assistance. We understand that expenses keep clients from fulfilling their dreams. Both with birth parents making a plan for adoption, and with adoptive parents growing their family. It is our mission to provide financial assistance through grants and scholarships, awarded annually in November, in honor of National Adoption Month. Funds assist adoptive parents with matching and placements, adoption finalization and helping birth mothers improve their lives through higher education — and much more.
However, we can’t do it alone. Please read up on our programs and donate money where you are able. Your donation will make a huge impact.
About the Author
Lisa Truong is an undergraduate journalism major at the University of Denver. She is minoring in writing and Chemistry. She has been commended by professors for her news stories as well as creative writing.
During her freshman year, her essay “See Ya on the Other Side” was displayed at a writing exhibition sponsored by the University of Denver. That essay later went on to be published in Many Voices One DU, a book also sponsored by the university.
Lisa frequently volunteers to be a leader at the Daniels School of Business for their quarterly Ethics Boot Camp where students learn about the importance of character in business. In her free time, Lisa enjoys watching animated movies with her mother, listening to music, going for bike rides, and eating breakfast food.
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Resources:
“Adoption Sayings and Quotes.” Adoption Sayings and Adoption Quotes | Wise Old Sayings. Accessed January 16, 2020. https://www.wiseoldsayings.com/adoption-quotes/.
Lee, Richard M. “The Transracial Adoption Paradox: History, Research, and Counseling Implications of Cultural Socialization.” The Counseling psychologist. U.S. National Library of Medicine, November 2003. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2366972/.
“Transracial/Interracial Adoption: Facts, Tips, & Statistics You Should Know.” RainbowKids.com. Accessed January 17, 2020. https://www.rainbowkids.com/adoption-stories/transracial-interracial-adoption-facts-tips-statistics-you-should-know-1828.
