Transracial Adoption

What is transracial adoption?

What is transracial adoption?

As stated in "A path analysis of a cultural and racial socialization model in international transracial adoption," transracial adoptions are the adoption of a child into a family that is alternative race to the adopted child, or in this study mainly Asian born children adopted by white parents.

Why the controversy?

Why the controversy?

There are many challenges that parents can face when helping a child connect with their birth culture and preparing them for life in a racially divided society. If the child or parent lacks the education and resources, it is more difficult for a child to feel connected with their racial identity. This may include lack of self-belonging and connection to parents, siblings or friends. These parents do not have racial inequities similar to their children in their day to day life. Therefore, children lack parental assistance and comfort if no support of education is provided. Because of education, support, learning curves and the commitment that comes with transracial adoption it is thought to be damaging to the child if they are adopted into a family of different race due to the lack of knowledge regarding social and cultural experiences.

What are the impacts of transracial adoption?

What are the impacts of transracial adoption?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about on third of all adoptions are children of color adopted by parents of a different race. Finding long-term homes for children of color is a consistent challenge for child wellfare agencies. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics being placed in the foster care system is listed as the eighth most prevalent adverse childhood expierence. Transracial adoption not only decreases the average time a child of color is in the foster care system, but also allows the child to create a long-term bond with families at an earlier age which could be crucial to reducing the risk of adverse childhood expierences.

Importance of up to date research

Why is up to date research needed?

It is extremely important to have up to date transracial adoption research because we are just now able to research the effect transracial adoption has on adults. Transracial adoption is still relatively new and there are still developments and changes within the adoption process needed to better the child's transition, experiences and adaptation to the family. Being able to research and learn from the adults who have gone though the transracial adoption experience as children is vital for the betterment of the program. It is a great way to learn from previous weaknesses and acknowledge what was done well. Future children adopted into transracial families can have a better, more positive, and developmentally safe/friendly experience because of this kind of up to date research.

Demographics

Demographics

The research was based in the United States on transracial adoptive parents who were members of the post-adoption support group Families with Children from China (FCC). Parents who particpated in the surveys were those who adopted children from China between the years of 1994 and 2010 and were between the ages of 3 and 18 at the time of the survey. The total number of parents were 486 with 347 completing the survey. 87% of the children were adopted from china with 95% of the parents being caucasian. 89% of the children adopted were female and a little above half were adopted around the age of 1 year old. 53% of families lived in the southern states.

Outcomes

The finding concluded that a developmentally normative and postive outcome for the children is most commonly seen where there is education and support for the white parents who adopted children of color. Their education includes racial awareness, racial socialization, and socialization practices. The studies results show that support has a most positive impact when the support is provided for the family's lifespan. Support can range from public options like books, groups, or websites. Even private options are available like therapy and other forms of adoption counseling.

Generalizability

Generalizability

Although this study primarily researched Asian children adopted into white families this research can be used across the races for further enhancements in the system and support for not only the child, but for the parent to give the child the most developmentally normative and positive experience as they learn and adapt to their new environment and manage/overcome the social barriers in society. This study was conducted in the United States, but if it were conducted in another country, it is important to account for that countries regulations and compare them with other countries allowing for the research to be understood consistently and generally up to date within the country of the consumer. The racial stigmas and social normalities have the chance of being different in other countries as well which may alter the finding slightly due to the inconsistencies with the environment in which that child is being raised in. Other impacts may include the race of the child and the environment in which they have been adopted into.

Exceptions

Exceptions

Although you educate and incorportate yourself into your child's culture it does not guarantee they will adapt well, but it is shown that they will adapt and respond better when education and support is provided for the entire family. As the child grows so will their awarenesss of their differences compared to the family. This still proves that support for the family is needed so the child can continue to feel, safe, comfortable, and confident. The article reviewed was primarily based on children adopted from Asia. These childre have difference experiences than those identifying as black, hispanic or those who are white passing. Withing everyone there will be different levels of support needed and some if adapted to their environment or passing as an alternative race and even depending on the diversity of the community. It all plays a role in the exceptions and forms of support that may or may not be needed.

Impact

In class it was stated that one person having a positive attatchment to a child can decrease the risk of adverse childhood expierences and give them stability that can make the difference long term in that childs life. This has stuck with me due to how powerful each connection we have can be. It is definitely something I will take with me and consider not only with kids, but when interacting with those in a work environment, at home or in public.

Family Systems Theory

Family Systems Theory

This theory opened my eyes up to the idea that a family is a system and even if an event seems to only affect one individual within that system it is actually affecting them all. Previously I had viewed families members as individual systems. So when problems occured in my family it was common for me to misunderstand why a sibling was acting out when my parents were going through difficult times. Through learning about Family Systems Theory I am able to understand that my family system had a major stressor which was impacting all of us in various ways. In the future this is definitely going to help me be more understanding in my own family and seeing other families go through problems and prove that going through these events whether positive or negative it is making that family system stronger.

Consistency

Consistency

This semester talking about the importance of consistency when rearing a child has stuck with me as important because of how frequently theories and stages can be tied back to this topic. We created characteristics of our ideal children at the beginning of this semester and although we have been taught best rearing strategies we have also discovered how inconsistency can cause parents to rear tiny monsters. Personally I will take this information with me due to the fear of raising one of these monster children. Consistency not only will impact the child, but it will impact the family and bonds. From babysitting to interacting with family or even rearing your own children consistency is important for the development of the child and relationship. Therefore in the future when building a family or working within the field of children this will definitely will come in handy both in positive interactions and disciplinary interactions.

Overindulgance

This topic caused a lot of anxiety for me this semester due to how easily a parent can fall into this habit without realizing. Overindulgance appears in the form of taking care of your child and possibly overly compansating your child for something the parent feels guilty for. I have caught myself since learning about this trying to make ammends with my siblings by overindulging them with rewards or favors. This is something I am still working on overcoming and it will stick with me due to how impactful the realization was that this is something I have done unconsciously.

Erikson's psychosocial stages of development

Erikson's Stages

Erikson's psychosocial stages have made me consider of how we are unconciously structured socially and behaviorally. Learning that if you do not overcome on of Erikson's stages you can use canalization to go back and relearn the stage to overcome it successfully was extremely interesting to me. The stories of extremes we learn about really have cemented these stages in my head. They are extremely helpful when rearing children and helping guide children through different expierences and time periods of their lives (even into adulthood).