Racial Identity and Cultural Certification for Transracial Adoptions

Teresa Burrell, Amanda King-Robinson, Spencer Cadet

ETHS 2410
Social Issue Research Project
Spring 2016

Research Paper

The premise of racial and cultural identity makes an important foundation in individual lives.
Yet often times these topics are rarely addressed. Not recognizing these concepts can be a struggle for
any person but for a child raised in a transracial environment there can be damaging and last effects.
Transracial adoption affects thousands of children every year. Recognizing the need for both child and
parental education we based our intervention on ways which could support both parents and child.
Through research and the intervention interview, we were able to narrow our focus in a direction that
would address racial and cultural identity through education and certification.
Brainstorm Ideas for Intervention
Many ideas were discussed as we shared thoughts and ideas about transracially adopted
families. Two of us had personal experiences concerning transracial adoptions and the challenges
families experience. As we discussed these challenges and read the different research and watched the
documentaries we wanted to implement programs that would support transracially adopted families on
a continuous spectrum. We considered racial identity and culture and brainstormed different ways we
could implement programs. We discussed providing websites or support groups that could help the
child and family long after the adoption had taken place. However, after interviewing two mothers who
had transracial adoptions, it became obvious that there was a great need for addressing why racial
identity and culture is important. We felt this education should occur before the child enters the home.

Research Supporting Reason for Change

This recognition was supported as research affirmed the need each individual child has for
racial identity, the importance of understanding their race and culture, and the adopted parental support.
As a group project, we read several different research articles which supported our intervention. These

articles supported the importance of developing racial identity and culture. They addressed the desire
for most parents and children to better understand their identity. They also supported our intervention
idea and recommended similar interventions.
Benefits of cultivation racial and cultural identity
Throughout the research, it became obvious that there is an innate desire for adopted children to
understand their origins. The research has shown children who are exposed to their cultural heritage and
diverse racial communities and schools will be more likely to develop a positive sense of racial identity
(Lindsey, 2012). There are many benefits that accompany this foundation of racial identity. In a New York

study conducted in 2009 Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever reports:

Those girls who really had a strong sense of self who thought that being black
was a good thing were able to put up apparently self-protective mechanisms with
regard to self-esteem. They also got better grades at school and were more likely
to practice safer sex than other girls in the study. (Jones-DeWeever, 2009)
Importance of Parental Education
Before parents can recognize the need for racial and cultural identity they first need to be
educated not only to the needs of the child but also to the ignorance of others. Adopted parents will
need a basic understanding of white privilege and prejudice of others before they can adequately
prepare their child for the prejudices which will exist. We found this throughout the research and
documentaries. In the documentary Adopted Jennifers adopted parents became offended and
unreachable in her desire to connect with her culture and identity. This led Jennifer, who was a very
successful and responsible adult into drug use because of her unresolved feelings and unmet needs
(Lee, 2013). In a contrasting manner, the documentary Closure portrayed parents who were
supportive and encouraging of their daughters need to embrace her racial identity. Her story was

hopeful and she was able to experience closure to those incongruent feelings that most transracial
adopted children face (Tucker, 2016). Both these women had the same desires; however their parental
reactions had a large impact on their lives.
There are legitimate concerns about white parents understanding the racial struggles of their
adopted children. Most our research supports this need for adoptive parents to understand the issues
related to racial and cultural identity so they can better help their children. In the research entitled
White International Transracial Adoptive Mothers' Reflections on Race, they address that Social work
practitioners should not assume that parents racial awareness will evolve helping parents develop racial
awareness and skills to racially socialize their children is not something that should be left to chance (CrolleySimic & Vonk, 2011). Our intervention will address this need for awareness. We also found that adoptive
parents who were educated had many ideas and suggestions as to ways that would help in addressing the needs
for racial and cultural identity. Some of their ideas were:

Provide or identify where families can take classes or access reference

materials concerning their child's racial and ethnic group history, culture,
food, and celebrations.
Pair families with a "cultural mentor" or "cultural guide" family of the
race or ethnicity of their adopted child.
Provide families with parenting classes that address how to raise a
child of color in a racist world. The classes should assist families
in recognizing racism, supporting their child in developing a positive racial
and ethnic identity, and foster coping mechanisms for the family and
child to deal with institutional racism (e.g., schools) and individual
racism (e.g., friends and extended family).

 Develop a forum that helps white adoptive parents recognize and

combat their own racism and that of their families and friends. (Patel, T. G, 2004)
As demonstrated above, the majorities of adopted parents love their children and have a great desire to
help them succeed. However, ignorance and misunderstandings concerning a childs need for racial identity and
culture can become a detriment to the individual and family. As stated by Crolley-Simic; The idea that
parents racial awareness likely does not naturally evolve also may raise questions about policy related to
assessment and approval of adoptive parents, as well as about requirements for pre- and post-adoptive
education (Crolley-Simic & Vonk, 2011). Addressing these policies is where we have focused our
intervention.

Strategy for Addressing the Identified Issue

First, a detailed outline of the proposal would need to be written expressing the need for the
intervention, the plan and the costs of the intervention. Once the proposal is written it will need to be
proposed and possibly have a lobbyist to represent our needs and ideas to government officials. Once
passed individuals would need to be hired to produce the website, classes, and tests. Following the
creation of the computerized presentation, the individual adoption agencies in Utah would need to be
educated to the changes and the certification requirements.
Outline of Intervention
We propose to change the law requirement from; adopted parents are to be informed with
regard to a child's ethnic. To: adopted parents are to be certified with regard to a childs ethnic,
religious, cultural, and racial heritage. (Utah Government Administrative Services, 2016). We then
would educate parents throughout the state with a series of online videos that would educate and
inform the parents about racial identity, white privilege, and ways to implement the adopted child's
cultural experiences into the life of their family. After each video section, there will be a series of

thought-provoking questions that the parents will be required to answer online. Once the questions
(test) is answered, the parents will become certified and be able to print off their certification as a part
of their adoption paperwork.
Costs for Intervention
It is estimated that it cost between $200-500 thousand dollars to produce an online class. The
average Utah government officials wage would be between $32- $45 thousand dollars a year. However,
if we charge the adopted parents $29-$49 dollars to take the test this will help pay for the initial cost as
well as maintenance. We also assume that there are already employees in place who handle adoption
agency licensing.
Resistance to Intervention
There are three basic areas of resistance that we can see. The government officials would need to find
this issue serious enough to warrant a certification. The adoption agencies are likely not going to be
happy with one more requirement that they need to put in place before adoptions can occur. The
parents might not recognize the need to become certified in racial and cultural training. However,
usually adopting parents are willing to do whatever is required.
Conclusion
As parents become educated, it is expected that children and families of transracial adoptions
will be better able to develop a racial and cultural identity. Providing a secure foundation of a
multicultural family experience, both parents and children will be able to withstand the prejudices and
injustices that exist.

References
Crolley-Simic, J., & Vonk, M. E. (2011, May). White International Transracial Adoptive Mothers'
Reflections on Race. Child & Family Social Work, 16(2), 169-178. Retrieved April 2, 2016, from
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Ellis, J. (2015). Nurturing Anger: Race, Affect, and Transracial Adoption. Women's Studies Quarterly,
43(1/2), 213-227. Retrieved April 2, 2016, from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/libprox1.slcc.edu
Jones-DeWeever, A. ( 2009, March 3). Strong Sense of Racial Identity Benefits Girls. (S. Mitter, Interviewer)
Lee, B. (Director). (2013). "Adopted" [Motion Picture].
Lindsey, B. (2012, October 27). Transracial Adoption: Current Research and One Mother's Perspective.
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Patel, T. G. (2004). Trans-racial adoption : a study of race, identity, and policy. - a study of race identity and
policy
Tucker, B. (Director). (2016). "Closure" the documentary [Motion Picture].
Utah Government Administrative Services. (2016, March 1). UTAH ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. Retrieved from
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http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r501/r501-07.htm
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