3 Benefits of Transracial Adoption for Birth Mothers in Colorado
Adoption is something that can be new for all of the people involved in the adoption process. Transracial adoption can definitely be a new experience for many. It can also be an educational and cultural adjustment for everyone involved.
When placing your child with an adoptive family of a different race, you and they will be exposed to a different culture. Exposing yourself and your child to a different culture can help you embrace diversity. It can also help break down stigmas. By choosing transracial adoption, you can show your child, the adoptive parents, and those around you that it’s normal. That the color of yours or their skin doesn’t matter.
Here at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we encourage you to explore the benefits of transracial adoption. We will be with you every step of the way and have many resources on transracial adoption to help you feel confident and informed in your adoption journey.
1. Be Exposed to a New Culture within Transracial Adoption
Whether you are the birth mother, the child, or the adoptive parents, you will be exposed to a new culture in transracial adoption. For the adoptive parents, you will have an adoptee of a different race than you. You might be asking yourself: How do I raise a baby who doesn’t have the same skin color as me? The same way you would if they did have the same skin color. They are your child through and through, no matter what they look like. You will still love them all the same and embrace that diversity. You can teach them all about your own culture while learning about theirs from your peers of the same race as them or the birth mother.
For the birth mother, if you have an open or semi-open adoption, you will get to see this new culture for your child. You will see the adoptive family embracing diversity and loving them all the same. You might even learn about the adoptive parents’ different cultures and give them knowledge about the child’s culture and racial background. Exchanging those cultural beliefs and norms will help everyone in the adoption process become educated and get closer to one another.
For the child, there are many benefits of transracial adoption. He or she will also learn a lot about the culture of their adoptive parents and you. He or she will learn about multiple cultures and backgrounds. It will be a great learning advantage and will expose them to new cultural ideas and surroundings. To help them see both sides of the world. There are so many different races all over the world, but for them to learn about two right at the start will be a great way to show them the diversity that the outside world holds. Later on in life, they will accept people just the way they are and won’t judge people based on race, skin color, or DNA.
2. Breaking Down Stigmas with Transracial Adoption
There is a less than half percentage of transracial adoption in the United States. This creates a stigma that transracial adoption is a negative thing and can cause problems, but transracial adoption is beneficial. If more parents adopt transracially, and there is more positive education about it, the existing stigma behind transracial adoption will decrease.
Many people who do not support transracial adoption say, for instance, that black children should only be adopted by black parents. They think it’s unnatural for white people to raise black children because they are not a part of that culture. These stigmas can cause a lot of judgement and racism. Yet, through transracial adoption, this image can change. You can be a part of that.
3. Embracing Diversity as a Birth Mother Considering Transracial Adoption
Embracing diversity is an important part of transracial adoption. Showing your child that it’s okay to be different and that it’s okay having adoptive parents of different skin color and culture is very important. This will help your child develop a strong and healthy sense of self and self-confidence about who they are. No matter your different skin color, differences can be celebrated.
Transracial adoption is something that many won’t do, but when it comes to same-sex marriages and pregnancy incompatibilities, adoption is the only option. That is diverse in itself. Yet, when you place your child for adoption with an adoptive family who has a different race than your own, you are showing the world that you love them for them. That you are wanting your child to grow up with a more open-minded view of the world, and to have respect for those who have a different race, ethnicity, or culture than he or she does.
Transracial Adoption is Beneficial
Adoption is such a beautiful thing, and transracial adoption is no exception. Embracing diversity is so important. It can impact you, your child, and the adoptive parents in a positive way.
If you are willing to consider adoptive parents who don’t share your race, ethnicity, or culture, transracial adoption may be the option for you. This form of adoption is truly a great way for you to explore other aspects of the world, and to have a new and educational experience overall.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Meet the Author: Molly Allington is an aspiring author born and raised in Syracuse, New York. When she’s not watching her latest Netflix obsession, you can find her nose deep in a book or in her writing. She has been writing books since she was twelve and is in the process of trying to get her finished books published. Molly has a BA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. With her writing, she is hoping to share supportive information and help as many people as possible. Once she starts her own family, she is wanting to adopt.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!