Race

Refers to the racial heritage of a child and his or her parents. Primary races that are considered are black, Caucasian and Asian. Latinos are sometimes inaccurately considered as a separate race, although they are actually an ethnic group. There is broad difference among Latinos who may be of Caucasian, American Indian or black descent or various mixtures.

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Some children needing adoptive families are also of mixed race or BIRACIAL. Although the term "biracial" connotes two races and includes Caucasian/Asian and Asian/black, most social workers use the term to refer to black/white children.

Whether or not race is an important aspect in the child to be adopted must be considered by adopting parents.

Studies have indicated that TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION can work very effectively for both the child and the family; however, the family must be able to tolerate criticism from family and strangers. In addition, many social workers and adoption agencies are adamantly opposed to placing a black or biracial child in a white family. (See also BLACK ADOPTIVE PARENT RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS; BLACK FAMILIES; HISPANICS/LATINOS; INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT OF 1978; NATIONAL COALITION TO END RACISM IN AMERICA'S CHILD CARE SYSTEM INC., SPECIAL NEEDS; TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION.)

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Browse for other entries List All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z See Also Preface, Acknowledgments, Introduction

©2000 by Christine Adamec and William Pierce, Ph.D. Reprinted from The Encyclopedia of Adoption, 2nd Edition (2nd Edition) with permission of Facts On File, Inc.