Transracial Adoptees and Their Families: A Study of Identity and Commitment

by Howard Altstein, Rita J. Simon

Overview

Transracial adoption is a controversial area of research and practice in child welfare. The authors, a sociologist and a social worker, have contributed much to its understanding through a series of studies that began in 1972 of white families that have adopted nonwhite (mostly black) children. This book reports on the latest phase of their research, which was based on interviews with most of the families and adoptees in the original sample. The purpose of the interviews was to explore the adoptees' racial identities and self-esteem, and the long-term effects of transracial adoption on the adoptees and their families. The authors present their findings in a clear, vivid, and coherent manner; objectively examine the issues raised by the study; and thoughtfully formulate implications for policy and practice. The study supports their major conclusion that ‘where no appropriate permanent inracial placement can be found for a non-white child . . . transracial adoption should be seriously considered.' A timely, unique, and sophisticated work that should be read widely by students, practitioners, and policymakers in child welfare. Choice

Reporting on the third phase of a 14-year study of transracial adoption, this volume focuses on the adoption of non-white children by white families. It includes personal interviews with 96 mothers and fathers and 218 children which help to answer questions about the long-term effects of transracial adoption on the adoptees' mental and emotional health and their racial identities. These valuable empirical data are combined with discussions of the practices of adoption agencies, recent court rulings, and alternative forms of adoption.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275923983
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/19/1987
Pages:	163
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.44(d)
Lexile:	1390L (what's this?)

About the Author

RITA J. SIMON is Dean of the School of Justice at American University.

HOWARD ALTSTEIN is Professor of Social Work at the University of Maryland.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Where We Are Today: Numbers, Practices, and Policies
Recent Court Rulings
Looking Back at the Families
The Parents' Story
The Childrens' Account
How the Parents' and Childrens' Accounts Match Up
Special Families: A Collective Portrait
Effects of Abortion, Birth Rate, and Lifestyle on Inracial and Transracial Adoptions
Single Parent Adoption: A Continuing Alternative
Intercountry Adoption
Concluding Remarks and Recommendations
Selected Bibliography
Index