Adopting a child transracially can be a rewarding and life-changing experience, but it’s important to be well-informed and prepared for the unique challenges that come with it. There are several important things to keep in mind to ensure that both you and the child are able to thrive in this new family dynamic. By understanding the history and current cultural dynamics surrounding transracial adoption, being open to learning and growth, and having strong support networks in place, you can help ensure a positive outcome for everyone involved. In today’s blog, we will highlight the 7 most important things to remember before adopting a child transracially.
- The United States has a unique racial structure.
You cannot talk about the history of America without talking about race. Understanding the current racial structure of the United States and how history has formed that structure is important when it comes to raising a child of a different race. - It’s OK to acknowledge color.
Not only is it ok to acknowledge color, but it’s encouraged to celebrate those differences! Embracing the differences will help your child to feel seen and loved for exactly who they are. - Build cultural relationships.
Building a network of people from other cultures that can relate to your adopted child will enrich your child’s life and build their identity. On top of this, you and your family could learn about a completely different world and way of life apart from your own! - Proper hair care is important.
Everyone’s hair is unique, especially in black heritage. Having people who understand how to treat and care for your child’s hair is of utmost importance, to make sure it is healthy and treated correctly. . - Encourage your child to explore their racial history and identity.
Your child will definitely become curious about his or her racial background, especially if your family doesn’t share the same skin color as him or her. They may even become socially aware of their differences because of the treatment they receive from outsiders or onlookers. Because of this, it’s best to encourage your child to do some exploration into their identity when they’re ready. - Introduce your child to their culture of origin.
If your child is open to it, find out what cultural activities or festivities you can bring them to that will expose them to the history and customs of their heritage. Ultimately, it’s up to your child to decide whether or not they’d like to participate, but at least present the opportunity to them. - Connect your child with other adoptees.
Shared experiences are so powerful since comfort and familiatries can often be found among others who have experienced similar situations. Sometimes, no one will truly understand a thing unless they have experienced it themselves. Providing structure and introducing your child to others who share in the adoption experience will be very important as they mature.
Adoption & Beyond provides many different types of training, including transracial education. Of course, not all agencies require this, but we believe it serves our families well. If your agency doesn’t require this kind of education, we encourage you to take it upon yourself to learn for the benefit of your child before you adopt transracially.
To learn more about the adoption process, take our All About Adoption 101 course.
This blog post is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Our services are not financial, business or legal advice. The information presented here is not a guarantee that you will obtain any results or earn any money using our content. Adoption & Beyond, Inc. owns all copyrights to the materials presented here unless otherwise noted.