What Is a Transracial Adoption?
Adoption is a process that has many different faces depending on a birth mother’s needs and concerns as well as the concerns of the adoptive family. There is no one way for adoption to look, which gives birth mothers many options when pursuing the adoption process. That being said, when people picture adoption, they often have their image of what it looks like. One of these depictions tends to be a family adopting a child of a different race. People are picturing an increasingly common form of adoption known as transracial adoption. Transracial adoption is when an adoptive family adopts a child of a different race. This definition is also commonly used to describe adoptive families where the child is of different ethnicity. Because of the demographics of the United States, transracial adoption often occurs when children are placed up for adoption and adopted by a family of a different race or culture.
At Adoption Choices of Oklahoma, we want you to feel safe and informed throughout your adoption process. We understand that birth mothers experiencing an unexpected pregnancy may ask themselves many questions, including my unplanned pregnancy options? What does the adoption process look like? And what types of adoption are there? We can help you answer these questions and help put you on track to pursue the adoption process in whichever way you choose.
What Does Transracial Adoption Look Like?
Suppose you are a birth mother who is a person of color and you are considering transracial adoption. In that case, you are likely wondering what a transracial adoption looks like in reality. This may bring up questions like: Is this a good choice for my child? Can transracial adoption be harmful? Can it be beneficial? We can help give you a better idea of the realities surrounding transracial adoption, but ultimately only you can give yourself these answers. Adoption truly is what you make of it, and there are no guarantees about what adoption will look like post-placement.
While there are no guarantees about adoption, we can provide you with some general answers to these questions. Transracial adoptions can have very real pros and cons, but it all depends on how the adoption is handled. For instance, because race can be a very sensitive topic in this country, many adoptive parents may treat their child’s racial or ethnic differences as nonexistent. In practice, this may only invalidate the child and make them feel uncomfortable talking about or understanding their racial identity.
Again, transracial adoptions don’t have to be negative. In many ways, they can be very beneficial for a child. For children of color, being adopted by a family of a different race may provide opportunities that they may not have had otherwise. Many birth mothers place their child up for adoption because of financial constraints, their young age, or a general unwillingness to be a parent. Regardless of race, adoptive parents are usually financially and emotionally ready to be parents. Going with a transracial adoption may allow your child to have a level of security that can lead them to pursue greater opportunities.
This all being said, like any adoption, transracial adoption should be pursued for the right reasons. When choosing an adoptive family, it is always best to think about what will be best for your child and do enough research to be prepared to make the necessary decisions along the way. As mentioned, transracial adoption can have many outcomes, which is why being open and honest about your concerns with both your adoption specialist and prospective adoptive parents is necessary. Doing so will better ensure that your child has a great life post-placement and that the adoptive parents are equipped to handle whatever challenges this type of adoption may pose.
How Can I Pursue a Transracial Adoption as an Oklahoma Birth Mother?
It is always best to pursue adoptive parents based on their values, who they are as people, and what opportunities they can provide your child. This is why we would not encourage you to pursue a transracial adoption specifically. Instead, we would encourage you to choose an adoptive family based on the whole scope of who they are as people and how they may enrich your child’s life. At Adoption Choices of Oklahoma, we understand that the Oklahoma adoption process can be challenging or confusing. Therefore, we make it our job to assist you throughout the entire process and are more than happy to be your compassionate, informed guide throughout your adoption journey.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a private adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and a 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: 405-201-6643 | Email
Meet the author: David T. Garcia is currently a student at Syracuse University working towards his degree in English with a concentration in film. He is a resident of Northern New Jersey and spends much of his time in New York City, whether it be for business or pleasure. David is looking forward to graduation so he can begin his life and pursue his ambitions. He has dreams of moving out to New York City and working as a young professional in the content writing space while also working on his own screenplays. In his free time, David enjoys spending time with family as well as watching movies and reading books. He has a passion for travel and looks forward to new experiences.
