Different Transracial Adoption Terms
By Casey Bonds
If you are a woman in Kansas facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be overwhelmed with choices, especially if you’re searching for “Adoption agencies near me.” One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make during your adoption journey is choosing your child’s adoptive family.
There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to choosing the family your baby will be placed with. One characteristic you might consider is the family’s cultural identity, including race, ethnicity, or nationality. Many birth mothers choose an adoptive family with whom they share a cultural identity, but many also choose interracial, intercultural, or international adoption.
If you need adoption help now, please call us at 877-903-4488, text us at 316-209-2071, or visit us at Adoption Choices of Kansas.
Different Transracial Adoption Terms: Understanding the Difference
There are a few important terms to note when considering placing your child with a family of a different culture. The three most important are interracial adoption, intercultural adoption, and international adoption.
What is interracial adoption?
Interracial adoptions occur when a baby of one race is placed with an adoptive family of another race. It is sometimes also referred to as transracial adoption. As many as 40% of American adoptions are interracial or transracial today. In Kansas, interracial or transracial adoptions are typically the placement of a non-white baby with a white adoptive family. However, the adoption of white children by other races is certainly not unheard of.
What is intercultural adoption?
Intercultural adoption, or transcultural adoption, is when a baby of one ethnic group is placed with an adoptive family of another ethnic group. For example, a non-Hispanic child adopted by a Hispanic family would be considered an intercultural adoptee. Intercultural adoptions are frequently international adoptions, but many are not.
What is international adoption?
International adoption is a type of adoption where a family adopts a child from another country. This type of adoption is becoming less common in recent years. International adoptions are almost always intercultural adoptions, but may or may not be interracial adoptions.
While the terms can get confusing, interracial, intercultural, and international adoptions share a lot of similarities. Since races, ethnic groups, and countries all have their own cultures, children in any of these kinds of adoptions are exposed to multiple cultures. Families that are made up of multiple races, ethnic groups, or nationalities are called multicultural families. So, some use the phrase “multicultural adoption” as an umbrella term to refer to transracial, transcultural, and international adoptions.
Reasons to consider an intercultural or interracial adoption
Facing an unplanned pregnancy and choosing adoption can bring up a lot of emotions, often negative ones. It’s important to look at the sunny side of adoption. Here are some positives to transracial and intercultural adoptions.
Your child will learn about their adoptive family’s culture
While many children only get to truly understand the experiences and traditions of their own cultures, in a multicultural adoption, your child can learn about the culture of another race or ethnic group.
Multicultural adoptions allow children to be enriched by multiple cultures, widening their knowledge of the world at an early age. Making connections within multiple cultural communities can enhance their sense of empathy, too. Growing up with a culture leads to understanding what it’s really like, meaning your child will be less likely to believe in stereotypes and discriminate against others. This can also allow them to better advocate for themselves and others, as understanding multiple cultural viewpoints often leads to better communication and deeper connections with others despite their differences.
You can still teach your child about your own culture
You might be worried that your child will not learn about your culture if they are placed with a family of a different race. A common misconception about Wichita adoption is that all adoptions are closed adoptions, where birth mothers are not allowed to make contact with their babies or their babies’ adoptive families after placement. While this was the case for some time throughout history, most adoptions today are open adoptions.
Open adoption plans allow you and your child’s adoptive family to decide how often you may communicate with each other. In many cases, open adoption allows you to have a relationship with your child even after placement. Thus, if you choose to do so, you can teach your child about your culture as they grow up.
However, even if you choose to end communication with your child and their adoptive family after placement, you should know that children in transracial or transcultural adoptions often still form a connection with their or their birth mothers’ cultures. This means that your child will grow up with multiple cultures, increasing their ability to empathize with many cultures.
Your baby will grow up in a loving home regardless of their background
No matter what your baby’s race or ethnicity is, you can ensure they are in a safe home with a supportive family. It’s important to remember that most prospective adoptive families have dreamt of growing their families. They aren’t looking for a child that is exactly like them– they’re just hoping to give a child a loving home.
You might be reading this thinking, “Well, how can I be sure of that, though?” We understand that choosing adoption alone can be scary, never mind choosing your baby’s adoptive family. With Adoption agencies in Kansas like Adoption Choices of Kansas, you can meet with prospective families before making a final decision. Many prospective adoptive families are open to and even excited to learn about another culture and incorporate it into their parenting practices. You may like to ask them what they know about your or your baby’s culture(s), how they plan to incorporate different cultural practices into their upbringing, and more. Race and ethnicity are often sensitive subjects, but approaching these topics with empathy and an open mind can put you and your baby’s adoptive family at ease.
Different Transracial Adoption Terms in Kansas
Choosing your baby’s adoptive family can be an overwhelming and difficult process. Finding “Adoption agencies near me” that understand transracial and transcultural adoptions can be difficult. At Adoption Choices of Kansas, our adoption specialists are experienced in interracial and intercultural adoption and are happy to help you make a decision you feel comfortable with.
If you are pregnant and considering placing your baby up for adoption, you are not alone. Choosing adoption is not giving up. If you need unplanned pregnancy help now, Adoption Choices of Kansas serves birth parents statewide and beyond. We can help with teen pregnancy, financial assistance, difficult situations, and more. Please call us or text us to learn more! Call Us 877-903-4488 or Text Us 316-209-2071.
