TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN: TOWARDS CONTINUING

2 This article focuses on the controversy over the transracial adoption (TRA) of African-American children by Caucasian parents. Arguments favoring and opposing TRA are presented, with accusations among researchers including bias, methodological problems, paradigmatic issues, and “cultural genocide.” Conceptual confusion over the meanings associated with terms such as transracial, interracial, transcultural, or biracial adoption contribute to the quandary. The roles of mental health and racial identity are explored and forensic and treatment considerations are presented. Although the TRA process appears to result in general adjustment and positive personal self-esteem, developmental aspects and the significance of racial identity with respect to group-esteem appear to be significant, yet overlooked aspects of TRA research. It is suggested that TRA among African-Americans may be unique in its complexity based upon longstanding racial attitudes. Interdisciplinary and multiracial cooperative research is suggested as a means of more accurately approaching the investigation of TRA. PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version www.pdffactory.co