Should race be a consideration in adoption?

Question

Should black children idealy be placed with black parents for adoption? Or white children with black parents?

Or should race not even be considered into the picture

Answer 1

Should it matter??  No

Does it matter??? Yes, but usually to the wrong people.

I am an adoptive mother of a mixed race child (b/w) and I have always done my best to make sure that he is exposed to black culture.  Since we do not know where his father is from (all we know is skin colour, not if he was African, Caribbean..etc) I have done what I can to expose him to different sub-cultures within the black community.  Is that as good as being raised by racially mixed parents?  Probably not (in their opinion), but I do know that I am doing my best.

Yes, people have judged (usually strangers) but I often wonder where they were when this child needed a home.  And yes, if they are bold enough to approach me when my son is with me, I usually am bold enough to respond with the statement I just said (where were they)

Ideally, every child would be placed exactly within their cultural makeup ( a child with Finnish background would be placed with parents who share that background) but that is simply not possible.  Race is more obvious of course.  

I do know this...

After 8 miscarriages, I wanted to be a Mom and my son was the first child that was offered to me.  I knew ahead of time that he was going to be of mixed race and did my fair share of soul searching to see if it really mattered to me.  It didn't.  He needed me, I needed him and that was all there was to it, for me.  For others, they may have a different experience, a different outcome after their soul searching but for us, it has worked.

Answer 2

An abandoned child whether white or black is a helpless human needing a family. Race should not be an issue in adopting a child. Even if the race is considered the child will not resemble the adoptive parents. Moreover the adoptive parents are compelled to tell the child the truth when the child grows up.

Answer 3

The agencies shouldn't make it a criteria for adoption.  The adoptive parents can set any criteria that they are comfortable with.

Answer 4

I'm white and I would personally adopt a white child.  It's easier on the child growing up and the family.

Answer 5

My feelings on the matter are this: Provided you are willing to educate your child on their biological heritage as best you can, they will have no harmful effects from being adopted by parents of a different race. The reasons for adopting must be sincere, not like some of these celebrities who adopt and make their rainbow families cause it looks good, or because  the baby was cute.Children need loving parents, and the kids aren't gonna care about colour difference if thats what they've got.

I wouldn't let it be a deciding factor in my choice for adoption.

Answer 6

The EFFECTS of raising a child with a different ethnic heritage SHOULD be considered when you plan to adopt.

Can it work? YES in all cases? NO...for what reasons? MANY

Each person is different, and each case is different, and you should only consider YOUR ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY PARENT THAT CHILD.....whatever the child's details include, medical, biology, age, personality etc...

The key here is EDUCATE YOURSELF.

Raising a child of a different race requires different skill set than raising a child of your same race.

If your child is meant to be in your family, you will know it, regardless of race.

Answer 7

EVERYTHING matters when considering a perminate hime for a child. And YES race should be CONSIDERED along with the rest. If the social worker feels that the family and child can overcome the issues that gome with bi-recial families the it;s a good match. Also I think that if a birth family wants the child to be with their own race then that should be honored.

It sometines seems (in a very few cases) that some adoptive parents SEEK children of another race so others praise them for their "sacrafice".

I'm Hispanic and my adoptive son is caucasion with blonde hair and blue eyes. People still say he looks just like me...

Answer 8

I dont think that race should be considered in adoption. I am white but I would adabt black child.

Answer 9

i think it shudnt mater if some 1 is willing to adopt a child y shud the colure of there skin b considerd as long as the child is loved adn taken care of that shud b enough but i also feel its the adoted parents duty ot educate and encourage the child to find out about there race and culture

Answer 10

It should not be considered. If you are not a racist then why should it be considered? If the parents are loving, caring and tollerant, the adopted child can face whatever problems they meet. Race is not an issue, unless you want the existing racism to stay for ever.

Answer 11

Race should only be considered if it matters to you, or to the child that you're adopting.

Edited to say: What I mean by that is, if a child of a different race is comfortable with you, and you are comfortable raising a child of a different race, and you know that you are willing to stand up for the child when someone says insensitive things, and you can raise them to be proud of their race, and to be a shining example of their race, then it shouldn't matter.

Answer 12

Race matters, you don't want to push a infant in the stroller and have bunch of folks asking your questions or have relative suspect you cheated on your husband. I also wouldn't want my child to get bunch of insensive questions from his or her peer

Answer 13

My opinion is that race should be considered, but should not necessarily be a deal-breaker.  And realistically, what would be so different about adoption than having a bio child? I could have a child of  1/2 different race than myself.  So what?

It is true, though, that life is more comfortable when we are with people like ourselves, and we are usually accepted better into a society of our own race. (Sad, but true.)

Answer 14

i am adopted and i feel whatever the case the children go through enough they shouldn't have to worry about the race their parents are so yes it should be considered in remember kids can be mean so adoption is enough for the child to face

Answer 15

yea i don't think it matters at all it's the parents chice watever baby they want it's their choice

Answer 16

i don't think ethnicity is important.

watch "Loosing Isaiah"

Answer 17

shouldn`t do

is would be a wide spreading

Answer 18

If the adoptive parents are willing to honor the child's heritage, race should not be an issue.

We are white parents of a African American son and we love him just as if we had given birth to him.

Answer 19

I am a single adoptive parent.  I believe all children deserve a loving home.  I would prefer for them all to be in two parent home with similar backgrounds, but that simple does not always work out.  Three of my children have different ethnic background than my own.  During the adoption process on two of the a dual parent family showed interest, neither time were these couples of the same ethnic background.  But, I still backed out in hopes they would be adopted by two parents.  Unfortunately both times the other parents back out because they preferred infants or they were scared of the child's medical history.  

Race should not be the only factor, I think it is more important that the child be placed as quickly as possible into a permanent home.

Answer 20

you probably should consider race. even though i'm not racist in any way, it's still better to put children with the same  ethnicity. it's just normal.. being made fun of in school isn't cool.

Answer 21

I dont think it should matter, but if I were to adopt, it would be my own race more than likely.

Answer 22

Honestly I don't think it matters as long as you have someone from the child's race or culture to be a parent or brother/sister figure for it and make sure you keep the child's culture intact so it doesn't grow up wondering why it looks differnet from it's adoptive parents.  I think if you adopt a child that is another race you should make sure you introduce it to it's natual culture and get a mentor from it's own race to be there for it like a second parent and love the child.

Answer 23

RaCe NoT bE CoNsIDeReD iNtO tHe PiC

Answer 24

I personally don't think race should be that much of a consideration.  The black/white dynamics in AMERICAN culture, however, might present specific challenges that say.....a Korean child being adopted by white parents would not.  I am Korean and was adopted by white parents.  I never had any incidences of racism or problems.

Answer 25

No I dont think its necessary to be a one race and have to adopt that same race.. All it matters is that you're saving a child and you're caring for that child. When i'm older i want to adopt a child =]

Answer 26

i dont think it is unless the parents dont want to reveal to the child (baby in this case) is adopted..

as long as i love the person, i'd adopt it.