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.

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

South Africa has been under apartheid regime characterized by racial segregation. As a result, transracial adoption only became legal in 1991. The aim of this thesis is to analyze how transracial adoption has been perceived in South Africa. A post-colonialism theory together with a critical race theory will be used in order to understand the phenomenon that has taken place. The results of this thesis show that, even though there is a need for further research, attitudes towards this practice have been generally positive. This demonstrates that the country is slowly overcoming the lasting effects of apartheid in terms of acceptance of transracial adoption.

No description available.

This study aims to understand the experience of a non-White family trying to adopt a transracial child. ‘Transracial adoption’ is defined as a family adopting a child from a different race than theirs. My overarching focus is on how society comes to understand transracial adoption as a one-way transfer of minority children into White families, however, when the roles are reversed there is a lack of acceptance for minority families adopting transracially – specifically, when the adoptive child is White. The purpose of my study is to share my mine and mother’s life experience of fostering, social workers, child welfare and adoption so that minorities who are looking to adopt transracially may use mine and/or my mother’s life experience to help guide their adoption process if they feel they are being discriminated against. This study will also explore motivations, values, ethics and possible biases regarding transracial adoptions. Highlighting the contradictions that exist in transracial adoption practices I will use my own research as a platform for awareness of how social work practice can influence the lives of minorities who would like to adopt transracially, and for the need at both a macro and micro to create clearer transracial adoption policies for minority and White families. / Thesis / Master of Social Welfare (MSW)

This study focused on the experiences of transracial adoptees in the United States, in an effort to examine the roles of cultural socialization and family influences on adoptees’ ethnic identity development. This study explored these issues through in-depth interviews with 11 adult transracial adoptees. Qualitative data analysis indicated various factors influencing participants’ ethnic identity development. Analysis compared levels of parental connection to adoptees’ birth culture, according to participants’ responses to interview questions. Analysis also compared socialization activities perceived by participants as meaningful to those that participants described as superficial or lacking in meaning. Themes included freedom of choice, opportunities for exposure to birth culture, and family support. Through quantitative analysis, a significant connection was found between parents’ level of connection with adoptees’ birth culture and the number of cultural socialization strategies they engaged in with their children. There was also a significant link between socialization activities participants viewed as meaningful and the strength of their ethnic identity development.

No description available.

This study explores the notion of racial empathy and whether or not the nonadopted white siblings in transracially adoptive families develop the ability to empathize within the context of race. Specifically, I look at the following three questions: Do white siblings who have black adopted siblings develop racial empathy – the ability for one to personally identify with racially sensitive issues that affect persons of a separate racial category – toward blacks outside of their family by virtue of their interactions with the adoptee? What are the different dimensions of racial empathy? How is racial empathy displayed at each dimension? Participants are interviewed in-depth about their experiences being reared with black siblings. Ten out of 15 participants developed racial empathy in at least one dimension by virtue of having black adopted siblings. This is a limited sample (e.g. gender, class, religious affiliation) and the findings cannot be extrapolated; however, these findings suggest that further research needs to be conducted on racial empathy, as well as the nonadopted white siblings.

No description available.