3 Benefits of Transracial Adoption For Birth Mothers
It is impossible to live in the United States these days and not be exposed to, or at least have an idea of, the racial divide that exists in this country. Judging by the news, it seems like a large portion of the country is constantly crying out against oppression, and for good reason. So as a birth mother potentially experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, who is also a person of color, it can be stressful trying to figure out where you and your child fit into all this mess. Many people of color place their child up for adoption each year, and because of the changing demographics in this country, this has led to an increase in transracial adoptions. To put it simply, transracial adoptions are when birth mothers choose to give up a baby for adoption and place them with an adoptive family of a different race. While transracial adoptions may seem risky or pose more negatives than positives, they do actually have many benefits. In this article, we’ll walk you through three benefits of transracial adoption, including the exposure a child gets to different races, giving your child the best possible parents, and how a child can learn coping skills so as to better navigate their racial identity.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Benefits of Transracial Adoption For Birth Mothers
Adoption Choices of Colorado specializes in giving adopted children a second chance at life and making sure everyone involved, including the birth parents, the child, and the adoptive parents, are happy with their decisions by the end of their adoption journey. Of the many adoption agencies in Colorado, you can trust us to provide you with personal, hands-on care that boosts your confidence along the way and understands your individual circumstances. We are here to help with any and all circumstances and questions, including: Am I pregnant? What are my Denver adoption options? Or what are my teen pregnancy options? Regardless of your background, we are here to help.
1: Exposure to Other Races or Ethnicities
Placing a child with a family of a different race, as a person of color, can greatly benefit your child. The benefit of this is that it allows you to give your child a chance to gain early exposure to different races and ethnicities and understand their own differences. These benefits can also be amplified if your child’s adoptive family lives in a more diverse area and your child has the opportunity to interact with these different groups. Perhaps your child will be able to partake in their adoptive family’s culture, which would only further enrich their life and their bond with their adoptive parents. As the birth mother, you have the power to give your child this opportunity.
2: Better Coping Skills
This section actually goes hand-in-hand with the previous one about the benefits of exposure to other races. Now, labeling this section as “better coping skills” may seem odd because a child who is a person of color should not have to cope with their racial difference. When we say this, we mean that by virtue of being a person of color in this country, your child will be a minority. This means that their experience in this country will be fundamentally different, even if the adoptive parents are racially different from them. However, the benefit of choosing transracial adoption is that you are giving both your child and their adoptive parents the opportunity to have open conversations about these racial differences. In a way, choosing transracial adoption forces your child to accept that they are different and, most importantly, that that is okay. They will grow up in a household where their family doesn’t look like them, but they will be surrounded by love nonetheless. This will teach your child that their differences don’t have to sever relationships. Instead, they can foster even stronger relationships by having parents who accept these differences and engage in an open conversation about them. To ensure that these conversations take place and that you choose parents who understand the importance of this, have a conversation with your adoption specialist. Doing so will clarify your adoption options and how you can play a role in your child’s development if you choose.
3: Giving Your Child The Best Parents Possible
One often forgotten benefit of transracial adoptions is that they give you access to more parent profiles, or rather they open your mind up to different parent profiles. Here at Adoption Choices of Colorado, we would encourage an all-encompassing, holistic approach to choosing adoptive parents. This means that it is best to look at everything prospective parents may provide and every quality they possess that may make them a good parent for your child. Being open to transracial adoption means that you can be open to a greater portion of parent profiles and therefore be able to give your child a better shot at having the best parents possible.
Choosing Transracial Adoption
Transracial adoption may not be for everybody, but if you’re open to it, then it can provide your child with many great opportunities throughout their life. As you can see, transracial adoptions are common and beneficial. Every adoption is different, so it is no surprise that transracial adoptions come with their own circumstances. Of course, no one can make your decision for you, and at the end of the day, you should trust your own judgment. That being said, it can always be a great option if you’re open to it.
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we want to see birth mothers succeed during their adoption journey. Our job is to work with you so that you can tackle the adoption process head-on and feel confident every step of the way.
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: David T. Garcia is currently a student at Syracuse University working towards his degree in English with a concentration in film. He is a resident of Northern New Jersey and spends much of his time in New York City, whether it be for business or pleasure. David is looking forward to graduation so he can begin his life and pursue his ambitions. He has dreams of moving out to New York City and working as a young professional in the content writing space while also working on his own screenplays. In his free time, David enjoys spending time with family as well as watching movies and reading books. He has a passion for travel and looks forward to new experiences.
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!