Many families adopt children from other racial, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds, either through domestic or intercountry adoption. These families may face unique challenges as children, youth, and young adults begin to develop their own identity and express a desire to connect with their cultural background. This section offers resources for professionals working with parents to help them understand and care for their adopted children from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds.
Affirming and Nurturing Racial Identity and Equality in Children [Webinar]
Edwards & Hudson (2020)
Youth Law Center
Explores messages and actions that caregivers could use to assist children in exploring and appreciating their own racial identity as well as adopting an antiracist worldview.
Helping Your Adopted Child Maintain A Cultural Connection
Bayless (2014)
Parents
Describes how adoptive parents can help their children of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds understand and develop their racial and cultural identity.
| Series Title | Factsheets for Families |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 453KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2020 |
Parenting a Child of a Different Race
Deese (2015)
Fostering Perspectives
Explains the unique challenges that children experience through transracial foster and adoptive placements. This resource also provides tips for parents to help children navigate racial identity.
The Personal Is Political: Racial Identity and Racial Justice in Transracial Adoption
Kim (2018)
Adoptalk, 3
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Shares the perspective of a Korean woman who was adopted as a child into a white family and did not fully develop her racial or cultural identity until adulthood. The resource offers concrete ways for adoptive parents to help their children embrace their identity, address personal mindsets, and advocate for further racial justice.
Raising a Child of Another Race
Wolff
Adoptive Families
Offers suggestions on how to help children who have been adopted navigate and establish a sense of ethnic identity.
Seeing Color: Why It Matters for Transracial Adoptive Families
Dinwoodie (2016)
The Imprint
Explains the importance of understanding and acknowledging cultural and racial differences for transracial adoptive families. The article discusses the overrepresentation of children of color in the foster care system and waiting to be adopted.
Transracial Parenting in Foster Care and Adoption: Strengthening Your Bicultural Family (PDF - 510 KB)
Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (2008)
Provides tips in a guidebook format to help parents and children in transracial families learn how to thrive in and celebrate their bicultural family; children to gain a strong sense of racial identity and cultural connections.