What are the effects of interracial adoption?

Adopting across racial lines will mean the family is now a multiracial family. Whether or not the family feels different from other families, the fact is that they will be seen as different, and need to be prepared for insensitive questions and comments from both adults and children. Answering these questions may help more fully understand what lies ahead:

• Do I have family and/or close friends of other racial, cultural or ethnic groups? If not how can I develop such relationships?
• Am I willing to move to another community, change schools or join appropriate organizations to find adult mentors and peers of my child's race and culture, if necessary?
• How do I feel about meeting the specific needs my child will have in developing self-identity and esteem?
• How do I imagine supporting my child when he/she experiences racial prejudice and discrimination?
• Can I accept the reality that adopting a child of color will mean our family becomes a family of color?

For a more in-depth exploration, visit Transracial.Adoption.com.

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