Navigating Racism and Discrimination in Transracial Adoptive Families

Included in the December 2017 issue of Adoptive Families Magazine, the psychology department at Pepperdine University published an article titled “Empowering Children of Color Who Face Racism.” Nearly %25 of adoptive families in the US are transracial, and despite the continual forward motion we would like to think we are making toward racial equality, there are still many battles to be faced.

The article began with a story told by an African-American adoptee, who was reflecting on a negative encounter he had with county police officers when he was a teenager. In short, he was suspected of a crime and forced to the ground at gunpoint while he was playing basketball simply because of the color of his skin and the clothes he was wearing. When he returned home and discussed the matter with his white mother, she wasted no time going to the police station to advocate for her child.

Choosing to adopt a child of another race is not a decision that can be made lightly. There are many factors to consider. First of all, adoptive families should anticipate questions and opinions from outsiders. Transracial adoptive families cannot (and will not) go through their normal day to day routines “inconspicuously,” as the article noted. Secondly, adoptive families have to determine if their environments will be a supportive, compassionate place for a child of another race. Will their churches and schools have leadership that is not only inclusive but representative of their adoptive child’s race and background? Does the family have peers and friends representative of their adoptive child’s race?

Transracial families must understand that acts of discrimination and racism still occur, and they must be equipped to navigate those events with their child. Some children may experience racial trauma, self-blame, fear or hopelessness related to these acts of racism regardless of whether or not the act happened specifically to them. For some parents, helping their child to work through these issues may be difficult, especially if the parent is not of the same race. Janice Goldwater, executive director of Adoptions Together, said, “If you are a white person and you haven’t experienced what your child has experienced, saying ‘I know how you feel’ is wrong.” That being said, staying silent is not the answer either. Speaking out for your child can reinforce the fact that your child is cared for and that they are important, increase their self-esteem and help them to resolve their negative feelings that they may have. It also teaches them to speak out about injustices when they see them in the future.

Even though racial injustices and discrimination are a difficult part of culture, society and parenting. Parents have a very influential position for their children. Adoptive parents do not have to be powerless, and they have the ability to educate themselves about race from people that have the same experiences that their children face or may face in the future. With the rising popularity of social media and with how easy it is to find reputable literature about racism and discrimination, adoptive parents can be more prepared. Parents can still support their child and help them through any negative experiences if they are not the same race.