“Positive racial identity depends on our ability to identify fully with our ethnic roots, yet remain confident that race or ethnicity does not limit our opportunities in life.” –Inside Transracial Adoption

Transracial adoption has grown significantly the last two decades.

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that nearly half of adopted children have a parent who is of a different race, ethnicity, or culture than the child.
• The awareness to sustain the adopted child’s culture within his or her new family has also increased.
• Parents of a child of a different culture have the responsibility to help their child define himself as a member of his own genetic racial community.
• Dr. Call, a developmental psychologist, recommends starting the process early and finding a variety of ways to introduce the child’s birth culture.

Experts recommend that parents do the following to meet the cultural needs of their children:

• Talk about your child’s history often and openly
• Interact with people of your child’s race
• Become integrated in diverse organizations and events
• Recognize multiculturalism as an asset
• Seek out mentors within your child’s culture
• Make your home a bicultural home (décor, food, toys, books, etc)
• Talk about race and culture often
• Go to places where your child is surrounded by people of his/her same race and culture
• Celebrate your child’s culture
• Celebrate differences

Incorporating as many of the above suggestions as possible often translates to many positive outcomes for both the child and the family as a whole. Having experiences within the child’s own culture creates a strong racial identity and sense of belonging, along with an increased resiliency against racism and discrimination. It can also increase the bond between parent and child.