Transracial/Interracial Adoption
Transracial adoption, also known as interracial or multiracial adoption, is when parents adopt a child of a different race or ethnicity. Usually, but not always, in the US, transracial adoptions are white parents adopting children of color. Transracial adoptions have increased significantly in the last 20 years.
- 21% of domestic infant adoptions are transracial
- 28% of foster care adoptions are transracial
- 84% of international adoptions are transracial
What is clear is that transracial adoptions are increasing. The proportion of adopted kindergartners being raised by a mother of a different race or ethnic group rose by 50% between 1999 and 2011.
- Raising Adopted Kids – New Research (article)
- Parenting Transracially Adopted Tweens and Teens (1 hr. podcast w/ experts)
- Suggested Books for Adults on Transracial Adoption
- How Transracial Adoptees Navigate Race As They Age (1 hr. podcast w/ experts)
- You’re Chocolate, I’m Vanilla: White Parents Raising Children of Color (1 hr. podcast w/ experts)
- Panel of Adult Transracial Adoptees (1 hr. podcast w/ panel)
Creating a Family has many other resources on transracial adoption. Here are a few additional ones that we think you will find particularly helpful:
- Navigating Identity & Belonging as an Adoptee (guest article)
- Making Friends with Adults of Your Child’s Race or Ethnicity (article)
- Are You Ready for Transracial Adoptive Parenting? (article)
- Transracial Adoptees Teach Us About Adoption (1 hr. podcast w/ expert panel)
- Raising an Anti-Racist Child (1 hr. podcast w/ expert)
- Helping Internationally Adopted Children Develop a Healthy Cultural and Racial Identity (1 hr. podcast w/ expert)
- Best Books for Transracially Adopted Kids (broken down by age of the child and race/ethnicity)
Many more Creating a Family interviews with experts, blogs, and fact sheets on interracial adoption can be found at the icons below.
Sources: Creating a Family radio shows below, www.aspe.hhs.gov
Additional Resources
