Open Adoption in a Transracial Adoption
You’re a young woman facing an unplanned pregnancy in Oklahoma. You know adoption is the best option for you and your child, but you’re not sure how to approach private adoption. There are so many options available, so you’re looking for advice on how to create an adoption plan. You’re trying to determine which type of adoption is right for you. You’re interested in transracial adoption, but you’re struggling between open adoption, closed adoption, and semi-open adoption. Which combo is the best for you?
What is Open Adoption?
Open adoption is when the birth mother and the adoptive parents remain in touch after the adoption is finalized. The birth mother can remain involved in her child’s life through open adoption. She can receive pictures of her child, and – if the adoptive parents are comfortable – she can participate in family events and activities (birthdays, graduations, etc.).
Open adoption has become relatively popular in recent years. Up until recently, closed adoption was the only option available for birth mothers creating an adoption plan.
What is Transracial Adoption?
Transracial adoption, or interracial adoption, is when someone adopts a child of a different race. For example, when a white couple adopts a black baby (and vice versa). There are two types of transracial adoption: domestic and international. Domestic adoption is when adoptive parents adopt a child from their own country, and international adoption is when they adopt a child from a different country. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma only offers domestic adoption.
The Benefits of Open Adoption when Committing to Open Transracial Adoption
Should birth mothers and adoptive parents commit to an open adoption in a transracial adoption plan? It depends on the people. However, an open adoption plan might be beneficial for a child who was adopted into a family of a different race.
One concern birth mothers and adoptive parents have about transracial adoption is that the child will struggle with his or her identity. They fear that the child will struggle if he or she grows up surrounded by people who don’t look like him or her. Will white adoptive parents be able to understand their black child? Will they be able to provide the support the child will need in the future? Open adoption could prevent or lessen the possibility of this happening.
Open adoption allows a child to stay connected to his or her birth family. It allows him or her to understand where he or she came from. A child can learn more about his or her heritage through his or her birth mother.
The birth mother can understand the child in ways the adoptive parents can’t. She can provide advice and support as the child grows up. The birth mother can also give the adoptive parents advice on how to incorporate their child’s culture into their lives.
Open Adoption in a Transracial Adoption at Adoption Choices of Oklahoma
Birth mothers have the final say in who their children will grow up with, and they have a say in whether the adoption will be open or not. You don’t have to pick open adoption, but it’s important to know the potential benefits. Regardless of whether you commit to open or closed adoption, or whether you want an open transracial adoption or not, Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is here to support you. We’re here to offer advice, but you can structure your adoption plan any way you want.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a private adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and leader in the adoption community. We have been assisting birth parents, children, and adoptive families in Oklahoma for over 19 years. Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized adoption experience to all involved in the adoption process. If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.
Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-310-8790 | Email
Meet the Author: Heather Valenzano is an up-and-coming content creator with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in English. After graduating from Iona College in 2019, she got an internship – and then a part-time job – writing blogs and managing social media accounts for Hip New Jersey, a lifestyle website owned by Long Shot Productions. She has also produced website and social media content for CommonPage, an external collaboration platform.
When she isn’t working, Heather enjoys watching crime shows like Forensic Files or posting book reviews to OnlineBookClub.org under the username “LavenderLiterature2.”
