Open Adoption with Transracial Adoptive Parents
Transracial adoption refers to the adoption of a child who is a different race than the adoptive parents. The adoptive couple could be the same race or also a different race from each other. People who adopt a child of a race that differs from their own face unique challenges. They have an extra responsibility with helping your child form a positive self-image as a member of their birth heritage, as well as a healthy racial identity.
Every open adoption experience is different, and it’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly–even more so if you’re considering transracial adoption. You want to find the perfect adoptive parents for your baby, and perhaps they are a different race than you. Although choosing adoption with transracial adoptive parents may bring its own set of difficulties, it can be a rewarding way for your child to be exposed to different cultures while still celebrating their own.
If you, as a birth mother, are considering an open adoption with transracial adoptive parents, keep reading to gain insight into what that might look like.
What can Transracial Adoptive Parents Offer My Child?
In any adoption, it’s important to complete your own research. This will help you learn all the pros and cons of the various types of adoption, and which one would be the best fit for your child. If you are considering transracial adoptive parents for your child, it’s important to research what kind of life they can offer and what potential challenges your child may face.
For instance, how your child’s adoptive parents respond to certain topics will speak volumes about their character and parenting philosophy. With transracial adoption, the concepts of prejudice and racism are sure to surface. How will the adoptive couple or individual approach this with your child?
Transracial adoptive parents, because of their own experiences, can teach your child how to celebrate other cultures and embrace diversity. They can instill strong moral values and teach him or her that being different is nothing to be ashamed of. When it comes to discrimination and racism, your child will learn how to defend themselves and their family, and grow into a move loving, compassionate and respecful adult overall.
What if We Have Two Different Cultures?
You will always be your child’s birth mother. He or she will always be part of you, and they will carry their birth culture with them for the rest of their life. If your child’s adoptive parents are a different race, culture or ethnicity than you, talk to them about how they are going to implement your child’s origin and heritage into their family.
When you have an open adoption with transracial adoptive parents, you have the opportunity to see how two different worlds can come together. This can be through the sharing of meals from your respective origins, listening to music or celebrating specific holidays throughout the year. If there is a certain piece of your culture that you’d like your child to keep and for their adoptive parents to take note of, let them know. Combining cultures and enjoying what each brings to your lives will only strengthen your bond and enrich your adoption journey.
It’s incredibly important for adoptive parents to celebrate your child’s culture. In order for your child to thrive, it’s critical that the adoptive parents learn and respect your child’s birth culture. Adoptees have the struggle of figuring out their identity and sense of self, and it’s even harder when they’re a different race than their adoptive parents.
Because of an open adoption, you have access in helping the adoptive parents making their home a bicultural one. This will not only benefit the relationship between you and the adoptive parents, but will also help your child. It’s a great way to show one another support and strengthen relationships.
What kind of Role Model will the Adoptive Parents be?
Your child will turn to their adoptive parents for guidance in many different areas. Unfortunately, they child will have questions related to their race and culture that their adoptive parents don’t know and can’t understand. It’s important to question whether the adoptive parents are committed to learning about you and your child’s culture. How much of an ally will these parents be?
One thing to be aware of is how diverse do the adoptive parents live their life. Do they have a diverse group of friends? Maybe they have an understanding of different cultures through food, music, festivals, and TV shows. Perhaps they have started to learn to speak your native language. These are all amazing characteristics in potential adoptive parents for your child. Having parents who are committed to embracing and celebrating your child’s culture and ethnic background is key.
One of the great things about transracial open adoption is the fact that you are available to help your child understand their race and ethnicity. This will help the adoptive parents understand the best way to celebrate the important parts of the child’s background. Creating a comfortable relationship between you and adoptive parents will aid in the confidence of the child. Seeing first hand different races can coexist peacefully with understanding and warmth, will be great for your child.
Open Adoption with Transracial Adoptive Parents
There is no one definition of family. At Adoption Choices of Arizona, we believe that family is so much more than blood. That it goes beyond DNA. It’s a blending of cultures, races, ethnicities and worlds together. It’s having care and respect for each other and — above all — love. That’s what truly makes a family. Love.
If you are wanting your child to grow up with transracial adoptive parents, know that they are fully committed to giving him or her a world of love and support. They will raise your child as their own and welcome him or her into their world with open arms. All of your lives will be enriched by the beauty of two cultures coming together and forever changed in the best way possible.
For adoption resources or to begin your adoption journey, birth parents can visit us at Adoption Choices of Arizona or call or text us at 1-480-900-5520. If you are an prospective adoptive family hoping to adopt a baby, please instead, visit us here!
Meet the author: Sarah Aguilera, a Northern Arizona University linguistics and creative writing graduate, is an aspiring author with a passion for influencing others through written words. She has a healthy ardor for all things literature and is often found with a book in her hands.
When she’s not working, Sarah likes to spend her free time swimming, playing with her dog, going to concerts with friends and having crazy adventures with her family. Her love for her own family is what pushed her to join the adoption writing team. She looks forward to educating those hoping to grow their family through adoption.
