Parent’s Tips for Biracial Adoptions and Multicultural Families
When it comes to adoption, adoptive parents may choose a child whose cultural and racial background is similar to their own, or a biracial child from a different country or culture. Most adoptive parents say their hearts led them to the child, and color or race didn’t matter. The unfortunate reality however, is that we live in a society that is not always that tolerant or accepting, and parents will have to consider this before making a commitment. When it comes to interracial adoption and multicultural families, there are some issues that may crop up as the child grows, and will need to be handled with tact and sensitivity, as well as awareness.
Before Adopting a Biracial Child
Before you adopt a biracial child, a few points to consider:
- What are your own prejudices or stereotypes about the child’s race? At some point, a prejudiced parent will project these stereotypes on the child, with potentially damaging results.
- What are the attitudes of your family, extended family, and your locality? No matter how loving or multicultural a family, children will eventually be exposed to outside interaction. If your neighborhood is not particularly tolerant, it could lead to hurtful and dangerous situations later.
- Are there any members of your immediate family who might not want a biracial child in their midst? Is there a relative who might not like the idea of a multiracial family?
- Do you have children who may be ashamed to acknowledge a biracial sibling once they interact with other people?
While none of these are problems that should restrict or change your intentions, it is best to consider how you will handle them at this early stage.
About Interracial Adoption
Identity conflicts and confusions are natural with any children, and more so with adopted children when told about their births. When issues of race are brought into the equation, it can make the situation even more complex. Parents with a biracial child can deliberately or unconsciously encourage the racial ‘half’ that matches their own race, not knowing how to nurture the other half. However, in doing so, they are depriving the child of half his identity, as well as creating a sense in the child of shame about the other half or of not being good enough.
Integrating a Multicultural Family
Studies show that children begin to understand concepts like skin color and racial differences from their preschool years, and this is the best time to start helping your biracial child understand his or her individuality and cultural background. Here are some methods to help children understand and feel proud of their heritage.
- Study the cultural heritage of the child so that you can integrate it into your family life. Food, festivals, stories and rituals can always be introduced gradually and in time will become part of your own family traditions.
- Find other families who have an inter racially adopted child or families of the child’s racial background so that your child has a reference point, or someone to talk to.
- Ensure that your home has culturally sensitive material: art that depicts both races of your child in a positive manner, dolls and story books that are ethnically diverse, food that is more global in its origin, and music that is not offensive or insensitive to any race.
Your most important contribution to your biracial child’s sense of belonging and pride is to answer questions openly and sensitively, any time they may arise. Initiate conversations of age-appropriate issues, and listen carefully to your child to understand any confusion or doubts that he or she might be facing. Whether a child is adopted by a multicultural family or born into it, he or she will grow into an individual that is shaped and helped by the attitudes, behavior patterns and warmth of that family.
References:
- Biracial Adoption – Adoption Blogs
- What is Interracial Adoption? – Adoption
