Many people think that one child will not change the world, however, the world can change that one child. No matter how the child ends up in a loving family, that child will forever be grateful for that opportunity. It can sometimes be problematic for a child who is growing up in a family where there are racial differences, however, a family who is determined to create an enriched living environment for their child will create a world of differences in the newly welcomed child. The idea of interracial adoption can seem less drastic when we as humans are capable of loving beyond one’s physical appearances. As a society, there should be a push to embrace humanity instead of being hung up on racial differences. As mentioned before, there are some challenges behind every story; therefore, subsequently, the pros, cons, pitfalls, and misunderstandings of what adopting an interracial child can bring to their upbringing will be discussed.
Interracial Adoption is a controversial topic that receives many critiques. An important allegation presented in the book African American Psychology (Belgrave & Allison, 2014) is based on the position taken on a paper published by the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSA) by (R. Simon & Alstein, 1977) which places interracial adoption as a “cultural genocide” (p.202). According to the authors, a child should be placed in a home where they are going to share the same culture as their adoptive parents. If the contrary happens then, the child will experience “detrimental social and psychological well-being”. Later findings (Donaldson Report, May 2008) seem to correlate with the NABSA paper, since according to the author “even if white parents are well prepared, they will not be able to help African American Children develop the identity they need to live in a racist society”. The argument here will be, if you never experienced racism, how can you relate? The idea behind emerging into a different culture correlates with problems in racial or ethnic identity during adolescence.
When parents are looking to adopt a child the adoption facility looks at their records. They make sure that they can provide for the child and themselves. They also make sure they do not come from a bad background. They also make sure the parents will love the child as if it were their own and always show the child, they love them. They will make sure the child knows that the adoptive parents love them. When children are old enough to know that they are adopted they see themselves as multicultural. Most children will find out about their cultural and background differences, but they will still navigate around racial adoptions and their differences and still feel good and love themselves. The children should still be proud of who they are even if they are different. Parents see their family as normal families they do not care that their child is from a different country or parent. Parents have a shared message that they tell new parents who are adopting, that they know they are different, but they are still like their own child, and that they need to love them like their own child. Parents who adopt support each other in the process and know that they are there for each other and that there is nothing to fear.
There are millions of concerns with interracial adoptions, but the biggest concern is adopting the child and then bringing him/her back home with them and the child liking the home. The reason this is the biggest concern is it is very hard for a child to go from living in one country or town to a new one and adapt to it. It is very hard for children to make friends when they are new and if someone is mean to them, they do not want to try and make more friends. Many people who were asked in a study said that they did not think that adopting families could take the pressure and would fail. People who have adopted before have a more positive attitude toward life and adoption while on the other side people who have not adopted have a less positive attitude toward adoption. Many students who took a survey were open to the idea of interracial adoptions, but other students had different opinions. White students who took the survey were more open to the idea than students of different races. The other opinion was students who had an interracial family member or dated one supported the idea. The second opinion was people who did not date or have a family of interracial adoption did not support the idea that much. The number of children being put up for adoption is growing and it's growing fast. The controversy should not matter it also should not matter the color or race of the adopting parent. If they can take care of themselves and the child, then they should be able to adopt. The children just want a loving family, to care and look out for them.
To sum up this topic, some might misunderstand things such as the idea of acting white or not acting black enough. All these cons, pitfalls, and misunderstandings seem to keep getting in the way of the one good pro for these kids and that has been their getting adopted. Race, gender, and age should never affect the outcome of a family wanting to adopt because you are choosing a life, so you shouldn’t choose one based on looks, but on the way you fall in love with the child.