Abstract
The article places transracial foster care and adoption into a broader perspective that highlights social and cultural factors and the reasons for controversy about this adoption option. The first section describes the demographics of children in the foster care system. This is followed by an overview of requirements for approval as foster and adoptive parents in Massachusetts and information about the laws governing transracial adoption. The controversy over transracial adoption is laid out by explaining the race-blind and race-matching positions. Policy priorities are outlined that take into account the main points of controversy. The final section focuses on growth in the multiracial and multiethnic population and how it will continue to shape transracial adoption. Race significantly structures peoples’ perceptions, which must be recognized. But race can overly determine judgments and policy decision. A balance is necessary to ensure that the overarching priority emphasizes the needs of children.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Fern L.; Mickelson, Stacie; and Davila, Mariana Lopez
(2013)
"Transracial Foster Care and Adoption: Issues and Realities,"
New England Journal of Public Policy: Vol. 25:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/nejpp/vol25/iss1/5
Included in
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