A plethora of studies have focused on transracial adoption. While these studies have looked at identity development and/or adjustment, they lacked the investigation into some possible causes to include feelings of belongingness as well as socioeconomic status. The current study explored the lack of cultural socialization and belongingness of people adopted into an environment culturally dissimilar from their birth culture. The nonexperimental, correlational design study examined the relationship between adjustment and identity development, and the impact of transracial adoption when considering socioeconomic status and skin tone. The New Immigrant Survey Skin Color Scale, Multiethnic Identity Measure, and Measure of Psychosocial Development test were administered to a purposeful sample of 119 adult transracial adoptees who were adopted prior to age 13.The analysis utilized both a linear regression and hierarchical linear regression. The results indicated there was a significant positive relationship between socioeconomic status and ethnic identity; however, socioeconomic status had no significant impact on psychosocial adjustment. The results also indicated that skin tone difference had no significant impact on the relationship between psychosocial adjustment and ethnic identity. This research can impact social change by guiding social services organizations, adoption agencies, and mental health professionals in their handling and process of transracial adoptions through providing resources both pre and post adoption to both the adoptee as well as the adoptive family.

This degree work investigates a Chinese ethnic identity in a Swedish social environment by means of translating national and cultural symbols, representing China and Sweden, into colors and materials within garments and accessories.Furthermore, this project demonstrates a transracial adoptee identity journey, through the act of conforming as a reaction to Swedish norms.To conduct the study, personal experiences of being a Chinese, Swedish adoptee have been applied to direct this work. An illustration of a timeline concerns the past and the present stages of a transracial adoptee identity and demonstrates the identity journey in chronological order, divided into five stages. This degree work generates new expressions within the social sustainability field in fashion by showcasing the absurdity to conform to Swedish norms. This work identifies how identity is formed by biological and social factors from a transracial adoptee perspective. This degree work demonstrates the complexity of transracial identity formation, through several layers, and criticizes Swedish norms through dress. It can spread awareness of the anxiety for transracial’s to fit into norms and recognition for those affected by it.

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O presente trabalho se dedica ao estudo da adoção inter-racial, como importante mecanismo de preservação dos interesses das crianças e dos adolescentes abandonados e institucionalizados no país, dos adotantes e da sociedade em geral. A pesquisa tem início com a análise das normas nacionais e internacionais destinadas à proteção dos direitos das crianças, com especial enfoque aos princípios da dignidade da pessoa humana, do melhor interesse da criança, da convivência familiar e da afetividade. Fixado o regramento jurídico geral a respeito do tema, passa-se à análise do processo de adoção, com especial ênfase ao perfil dos interessados e à adoção inter-racial. Após detalhado estudo das teses favoráveis e contrárias a esta modalidade de adoção, com fundamento na doutrina norte-americana, comprova-se que, uma vez ultrapassados o preconceito racial e a resistência dos interessados à transparência da paternidade afetiva, a medida é extremamente vantajosa aos interesses não apenas dos adotados, como também dos adotantes, dos pais biológicos e da sociedade brasileira. Por fim, a pesquisa conclui que a adoção inter-racial, por promover um reconhecimento positivo dos envolvidos, representa importante mecanismo de inclusão social, de desenvolvimento humano, de prevenção da violência e de combate ao racismo. / The present study aims to examine transracial adoption as an important mechanism to preserve the interests of abandoned and foster care children and adolescents in the country, the adopters and society in general. The research begins with the analysis of national and international standards for the protection of children\'s rights, with a special focus on the principles of human dignity, the best interest of the child, family coexistence and affection. Once the general legal rules on the subject are set, the study goes forward to the analysis of the adoption process itself, with special emphasis on the profile of all the involved in the process and on transracial adoption. After a detailed study of the pros and cons of this type of adoption, based on North American doctrine, it was proven that, once overcome racial prejudice and resistance to the acceptance of affective paternity, this source is extremely advantageous to the interests of both adoptees and adopters, biological parents and Brazilian society. Finally, the research concludes that transracial adoption is an important mechanism of social inclusion, human development, violence prevention and combating racism as it promotes a positive recognition of those involved in this process.

O presente trabalho se dedica ao estudo da adoção inter-racial, como importante mecanismo de preservação dos interesses das crianças e dos adolescentes abandonados e institucionalizados no país, dos adotantes e da sociedade em geral. A pesquisa tem início com a análise das normas nacionais e internacionais destinadas à proteção dos direitos das crianças, com especial enfoque aos princípios da dignidade da pessoa humana, do melhor interesse da criança, da convivência familiar e da afetividade. Fixado o regramento jurídico geral a respeito do tema, passa-se à análise do processo de adoção, com especial ênfase ao perfil dos interessados e à adoção inter-racial. Após detalhado estudo das teses favoráveis e contrárias a esta modalidade de adoção, com fundamento na doutrina norte-americana, comprova-se que, uma vez ultrapassados o preconceito racial e a resistência dos interessados à transparência da paternidade afetiva, a medida é extremamente vantajosa aos interesses não apenas dos adotados, como também dos adotantes, dos pais biológicos e da sociedade brasileira. Por fim, a pesquisa conclui que a adoção inter-racial, por promover um reconhecimento positivo dos envolvidos, representa importante mecanismo de inclusão social, de desenvolvimento humano, de prevenção da violência e de combate ao racismo. / The present study aims to examine transracial adoption as an important mechanism to preserve the interests of abandoned and foster care children and adolescents in the country, the adopters and society in general. The research begins with the analysis of national and international standards for the protection of children\'s rights, with a special focus on the principles of human dignity, the best interest of the child, family coexistence and affection. Once the general legal rules on the subject are set, the study goes forward to the analysis of the adoption process itself, with special emphasis on the profile of all the involved in the process and on transracial adoption. After a detailed study of the pros and cons of this type of adoption, based on North American doctrine, it was proven that, once overcome racial prejudice and resistance to the acceptance of affective paternity, this source is extremely advantageous to the interests of both adoptees and adopters, biological parents and Brazilian society. Finally, the research concludes that transracial adoption is an important mechanism of social inclusion, human development, violence prevention and combating racism as it promotes a positive recognition of those involved in this process.

It is essential that research be conducted regarding both the needs of and the outcomes for children placed outside of their biological homes. According to AFCARS (Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Report), approximately 408,425 children in the United States were in foster care in 2010 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 2011a). In addition to the large number of children and adolescents in foster care, there are a disproportionate number of U.S. racial/ethnic minority children in foster care and other out-of-home placements (Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, 2004; Schwartz, 2007; Smith & Devore, 2004). Specifically, African American children are overrepresented in the foster care system compared to either other racial/ethnic groups (U.S. DHHS, 2011b). Approximately 45% of foster parents report caring for children of a different racial ethnic background than their own (Coakley & Orme, 2006). The majority of actual outcome studies regarding transracial placements for children focus on psychological adjustment, and the results are mixed (Brown, George, Sintzel, & Arnault, 2009; Burrow & Finley, 2004; Keller et al., 2001; Moffatt & Thoburn, 2001).However, there is very limited research on the relationship between race/ ethnicity of caregivers in residential settings and the outcomes for children of different racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of the current study was to extend the Jewell et al. (2010) investigation by measuring the youth's behavioral functioning in a family teaching home throughout their stay in a residential setting. The major aims of this study were to (a) investigate the relations between type of family home placement (inracial vs. transracial) and behavioral outcomes for the youth and (b) identify the key variables to consider for placement of racial/ethnic minority youth in a family-style residential treatment center. Results of the study indicate that overall youth placed in inracial family teaching homes had better behavioral outcomes than youth placed in transracial family teaching homes. The current study suggests that both racial/ethnic groups (African American and European American) benefitted from being placed in inracial versus transracial family home settings. Age, gender and race/ethnicity did not appear to be contributing to the behaviors of the youth as much as type of placement (inracial versus transracial).

This dissertation explores the lifelong racial and ethnic identity development of Korean transracial adoptees raised in the U.S. Midwest. Using seventy-seven in-depth, semi-structured life history interviews, geographic region, age cohort, gender, and exploration type emerged as the most significant factors shaping adoptees' sense of group belonging. Their unique life experiences as Asian Americans in White families created liminal belonging as "a part yet apart" from White, Asian, and even, at times, Korean adoptee communities. As they aged and encountered new life stage responsibilities and pressures, adoptees in the study experienced greater exposure to racial and ethnic diversity and were generally more willing to explore their identities during early and mid-adulthood. The large population of Korean adoptees in the Midwest, and Minnesota in particular, increased opportunities for exposure to other Korean adoptees and Korean adoptee culture. Involvement typically provided adoptees with a full-fledged sense of belonging that eluded them in traditionally defined Asian, Korean, and White communities. An empowering Korean adoptee identity emerged that was based on explicitly acknowledging adoptees' unique life circumstances in-between non-adopted Asians and Whites and challenged conflations of race, ethnicity, and culture.

abstract: International adoption in the U.S. remains a viable option for families who wish to build or expand their families; however, it has not been without controversy. Past research has sought to understand the initial and long-term psychological adjustment and racial/ethnic identity development of international and transracial adoptees. Research shows that pre-adoption adversity may be linked to the development of behavior and emotional problems, and opponents assert that international adoption strips children of their culture. Emerging research has focused on cultural socialization practices and how international and transracial adoptive families acknowledge or reject ethnic and racial differences within the family. An area less understood is how international and transracial adoptees cope with racism, prejudice, racial discrimination, and stereotyping. This study explores, using qualitative methods, the ways in which international and transracial adoptees experience and cope with racism, prejudice, racial discrimination and/or stereotyping. The personal stories of ten adult Korean adoptees are highlighted with particular attention to how interactions with adoptive family members and peers influence adoptees’ identity development, how adoptees resolve conflicts in terms of “fitting in,” and how parental/familial influence mitigates the effects of racism and racial discrimination. The study concludes with a discussion on implications for social work practice. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Social Work 2015