Guide to Transracial Adoption

A Guide for Adoptive Families

Raising a child is a dream-come-true for many families, and adoption helps make that possible. Adoption helps families come to fruition and flourish and brings so much love and fulfillment to adoptive parents. Without adoption, parenthood is not always attainable for these couples and individuals. Parents who have grown their families through adoption understand the deep love and happiness that a child can bring.

Along with this happiness, of course, parenthood can also bring many challenges. All parents, whether adoptive or biological, can attest to this simple truth: Parenthood is hard. Throughout the years of a child’s life, moms and dads everywhere struggle with behavior and safety. We all want our children to be safe, healthy, and happy. “It takes a village,” as the old African proverb goes. As parents, we want to make sure that our “village” is filled with supportive and compassionate individuals. We also want to make sure that we, as parents, are always supporting our children in the best way possible. For adoptive families, this often means open communication and exposure to the child’s ethnic roots.

In 2020, Americans witnessed – and experienced – a renewed push for social justice. The public conversation focused on race and the large role it plays in our country today. As we look toward a better future for our children, we want to consider those families who have, and those who will have, transracial adoptions. If you are planning to adopt, or have already adopted, a child of a race that is different from yours, this guide is for you. Here, we will discuss some of the most important topics regarding transracial adoption, and help you navigate the transracial adoption journey.