Why We Should Encourage Transracial Adoptions in MO
Adoption and other options for unplanned pregnancy remain controversial. Some of the controversies are from misconceptions, but much of it stems from other societal issues. Racism has always been a problem in America, and much progress has been made towards a more fair society. Sadly, the effects of past injustices remain today. Further progress means that we have to look within ourselves to see how we are being unfair to others, and often, we don’t realize there might be ingrained biases we are unaware of. If you are reading this, chances are, you care about equality and want to know what you can do. Encouraging transracial adoptions is one thing all people who have been involved can do when they interact with others. The idea of fairness means we treat people the same regardless of their background, and adoption is no exception. We at Adoption Choices of Missouri, want to provide you with the best possible care in your MO adoption journey, here are five reasons to support transracial adoptions, and it’s important to think about how they apply to you.
- Family Love Is What’s Important
As a birth mother, choosing an adoptive family is the most important decision you will make in the adoption process. Fairness means picking based on merit. The adoptive family may not share the same ethnic background, but that doesn’t stop them from being a good fit. What makes them good is their willingness to do what it takes to give a child a happy life. A good adoptive family will learn the culture your child comes from. Meanwhile, you should learn about their culture. In today’s society, this will be a challenge, but it is also rewarding. Both you and them will learn about another culture and become more open-minded.
- You Will Realize Some Hard Truths
It’s hard to put ourselves in the shoes of those who have different experiences. We all heard stories of what people in other ethnic groups deal with, but being affected by it firsthand is the real awakening. If you regularly interact with the adoptive family, both of you might be shocked to meet judgemental people and how to navigate uncomfortable situations.As your child grows older, they may even have an identity crisis. Discussing these matters with the potential adoptive family is important and will get them started. Nothing will completely prepare them, but it must be noted that transracial adoptions are increasingly common. Your child is not alone, and neither will their new family. There are many who will oppose a transracial adoption for different reasons. One example is that they might think that the child is being moved from their cultural roots, not fit in, or never develop a sense of identity. The truth is, a child automatically just fits in regardless if the child is the same or of a different race than the adoptive family. Getting the child to feel like they belong takes work on the adoptive family’s part. Ethnic differences will make this more challenging but not impossible. The problem minorities continue to face is that not enough people try to understand them. Being raised by parents of a different background does not mean they will grow up with low self-esteem. It is also not fair for a child to be denied a family because of race.
- The Bad Experiences Are Fueled By Misjudgement
Poor judgment is often the cause of the bad experiences adopted children face. Adopted parents often think the best way of helping the child fit in is to pretend there is no difference or to insist those differences don’t matter. The reality is that all of us are human. As an intelligent person, your child will notice they are different at some point and develop a curiosity. Denying a difference can cause the child to internalize negative attitudes towards themselves. Getting them to appreciate their cultural background is key to building their self-esteem and dealing with the way others may treat them. Ignoring differences does nothing to prepare the child and make things harder for them. Of course, there are many other things to discuss with the child’s potential new parents aside from cultural differences. The overall philosophy the new family will have is important, and so is their ability to take care of their needs.
How Adoption Choices of Missouri Helps Birth Mothers With Transracial Adoptions
Adoption Choices of Missouri helps moms of different backgrounds get informed so that they can find the right family for their child. There are many things to consider when giving a baby up for adoption and knowing what to expect is the first step. When you are ready, give us a call, and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you have. Helping moms is our mission and passion.
Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll-free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 816-527-9800
Meet the author: Seannea Wharton is a student at Miami University majoring in English. As of now, she is working on her first novel, starting a book blog, and learning American Sign Language. She was raised in a suburban town in New Jersey and has various hobbies such as gardening, cooking, and crocheting. She enjoys learning about a wide range of topics and loves finding new books to read.
