Transracial/Multiracial Adoption

Where to start for Information on Transracial/Multiracial Adoption:

• Check out the following Creating a Family radio shows:

  • September 28, 2011: How Transracial Adoptees Navigate Race as They Age

  • Feb 2, 2011: Transracial Adoption - How to Do it Well

  • April 7, 2010: Panel Discussion with Adult Transracial Adoptees

  • January 13, 2010: You’re Chocolate I’m Vanilla: White parents Raising Children of Color

  • June 3, 2009: Becoming a Multicultural/Transracial Family Through Adoption

  • October 21, 2008: Panel of Adult Transracial Adoptees

  • July 2, 2008: Transracial Adoption

• Other Creating a Family Resources:

  • Suggested Books for adults on Transracial Adoption

  • Suggested books for kids on Transracial & Black

  • Creating a Family blog on Raising Adopted Kids-New Research

  • Creating a Family video on Cultural Identity and The Internationally Adopted Child

  • Creating A Family video on Adopting from Ethiopia and Other African Countries

  • Creating A Family video on Adopting From South Korea

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General Information and Resources on Adopting Multiracial/Transracial Children:

• Gina Miranda Samuels has conducted a substantial amount of research in the area of transracial adoption and cultural identity of multiracial adoptees. See ‘‘Being Raised by White People’’: Navigating Racial Difference Among Adopted Multiracial Adults; Domestic Transracial Adoption and Multiraciality, and Building Kinship and Community: Relational Processes of Bicultural Identity Among Adult Multiracial Adoptees.
• I loved this article in O Magazine, titled "8 Things Never to Say to an Adopted Child" by Elizabeth Cuthrell. I don't know where they got the title from since that wasn't the focus of the article, but nonetheless, it was a sweet and insightful look at the public attention we get as transracial or multicultural families.
• Multiracial Sky is a fantastic website created by a multiracial woman who is also a mom through transracial adoption. I liked many of the features on this site, especially her suggestions for talking about race and hair and skin care.
• The Gathering of the First Generation of Adult Korean Adoptees: Adoptees' Perceptions of International Adoption (2000) and Official Report of The Second International Gathering of Adult Korean Adoptees (2001) All parents of transracial/transcultural adoptees can learn from what these adults are telling us, regardless of what country your child is adopted from.
• Transracial Adoption - Two Sides of the Transracial Adoption Issue - This is a good unbiased exploration of the debate over transracial adoption, explaining both the pros and cons. It also presents best practices for successful transracial adoptions.
• Tips for raising children transracially from the real experts--parents and adult adoptees who were in the first wave of transracial adoptions in the US. These tips and articles were compiled by Minnesota Adoption Support and Preservation. I think this is valuable information regardless if you adopt from China, Guatemala, or Africa. http://johnraible.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/familyvoicessummer07-1.pdf
• "Understanding Race and Adoptions" is a nice overview article on transracial adoption by Joan D. Ramos. She includes a breakdown on what children understand at different ages and stages of development.
• KAAN, the Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network, is a network of adoptees, adoptive parents, and Korean Americans that have joined together to build understanding. They have a big conference every year that brings these groups together to share information. Their website is a great source for Korean cultural information and information about the experience of adult Asian adoptees.
• Transracial and transcultural program activities of the NYS CCC--This is an absolutely wonderful website for resources on transracial adoption. They have a section called "Ask the Experts" where two adult transracial adoptees answer question from adoptive parents.
• Association of MultiEthnic Americans is an international association of organizations dedicated to advocacy, education and collaboration on behalf the multi-ethnic, multiracial and transracial adoption community.
• MAVIN Foundation seeks to build healthy communities that celebrate and empower mixed heritage people and families. They explore the experiences of mixed heritage people, transracial adoptees, interracial relationships and multiracial families.
• The Adoption History Project at the University of Oregon has an interesting article on the history of transracial adoption, including domestic adoption and international adoption.
• Transracial Adoption of Black Children: An Economic Analysis by Mary E. Hansen and Daniel Pollack. This is an interesting 2007 legal article (No, the terms "legal" and "interesting" are not necessarily oxymorons) about the need for more transracial adoptions and how it benefits children. It also provides a historical analysis of a transracial adoption.
• also-known-as- Organization of adult adoptees formed to recognize and celebrate people whose lives bridge nations, cultures, and races through adoption.
• PACT- Although primarily geared to domestic adoption of U.S. children of color, this site contains good information on transracial adoption.
• Adoption Learning Partners has an online course titled "Conspicuous Families". There is no fee unless you want a certificate of completion.
• For the Dr. Phil aficionado in your life, Dr. Phil has spoken on the Do’s and Dont's of Transracial Adoption
• "Adoptees Do Not Lack Self-Esteem: A Meta-Analysis of Studies on Self-Esteem of Transracial, International, and Domestic Adoptees" - study states, "there are no differences in self-esteem between adopted and nonadopted children and no differences in self-esteem between transracial and same-race adopted children." Psychological Bulletin, 2007
• Blend Education & Training Inc. - Transracial Parenting Initiative training program provides a safe, interactive and thought provoking learning environment for any parent raising a child transracially. The training aims to respectfully challenge you to walk this journey of discovery alongside your child. Great resource for parents considering transracial adoption.

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Videos on Transracial/Multiracial Adoption:

• A teen transracial adoptee talks about what it’s like to be adopted.
• If you are considering adopting across racial lines, watch this video. Although the video does not identify the family, I am fairly certain it is Judy Stigger and her son Aaron. Judy was one of my guests on a Creating a Family show on transracial adoption, and Aaron was one of the panelist on the Panel of Adult Transracial Adoptees. If you are wondering if you should adopt transracially, watch this video.
• Struggle for Identity: Issues in Transracial Adoption is a DVD that features interviews with adult transracial adoptees and adoptive parents. There is also a sequel to the original titled, A Conversation 10 Years Later. These DVDs are produced by the New York State Citizens' Coalition for Children and PhotoSynthesis. For more information call 607-272-4242.

• Two adult Korean adoptees made a documentary to explore the complexities of adopting across radial and cultural lines. This is a film about international adoption. They chronicle two stories: one family adopting a baby from China and the story of an adult adoptee coming to terms with her sense of abandonment. The film strives to show all sides of transracial transcultural adoption. To see a five minute trailer and to find out about the movie go to www.adoptedthemovie.com

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African Hair Care:

• The Natural Haven - Fantastic resource for black hair care. I have finally found another research geek, but she focuses on hair. I love it!! If you have curly hair, or if your child has curly hair, this site is a MUST. She doesn't push natural over treated, but does try to educate you on how to care for black hair. She knows her stuff. How often to wash? Should you use mineral oil? How to avoid damage? Do twists and braids hurt the hair? She covers it all and lets you know the science behind it. She's like the Alton Brown of hair care.

• Tips and resources for African Hair Care

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Blogs:

• Harlow's Monkey is a blog by a woman who was adopted from South Korea. You may disagree with some of what she writes, but she raises points worth thinking about for those of us who have formed our family through transracial adoption.

• This was a great thread titled "Is my wife making too much of our adopted child’s race?" This post was on a really interesting blog, "Anti-Racist Parent", which is for parents who are committed to raising children with an anti-racist outlook.

• I love this blog by an adult Korean adoptee. Her blogs are insightful and optimistic without being saccharine. She is thoroughly connected with her adoptive family at the same time she is actively exploring what it means to be Korean, adopted, and living in a mostly Caucasian country (Australia). Her balanced approach is both reassuring and enlightening.

• A Birth Project: Transracial Adoption from one black girl’s perspective - A blog by an adult transracial adoptee (black child, white family) makes for interesting and informative reading. Lisa Marie, the blogger, blogs about her experience as a child and as an adult.

• White Kid, Black Family: Transracial Adoption - A facinating twist on our concept of transracial adoption. This blog on National Public

• Blog on growing up black in a white family written by an adult transracial adoptee, Kevin Hoffman. He will be a guest on the April 7, 2010 Creating a Family show as part of a panel of adult transracial adoptees.

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