In 2010 there were more than 500,000 children in foster care across the United States, more than a quarter of them African American children. The need for adoption has never been greater, but we still see our children lagging behind in adoption rates. A new article from the Atlanta Post sheds light on four adoption myths:
1) Children of African descent are more difficult to raise.
2) So-called “drug babies” will become super predators.
3) Transracial adoptions do more harm than good.
4) Single parents need not apply.
Check out the full post here and let us know your two cents. What can we do to encourage more black parents to adopt?
Kaneshavance says
This is so true. I have birthed 2 boys and really wanted to adopt 2 girls. When I talk to grannies about it they both told me not to do that. One went as far as saying you don’t want someone else’s mess. 🙁
Mona Dickerson says
This is an interesting snippet of info. As a former foster youth and advocate; I find it quite discouraging that individuals still attempt to create barriers for children and youth of color to be adopted-despite them being overrepresented in the foster care system nationwide. I encourage anyone with the ability to be open-minded, with compassion and patience to open our their hearts and home to a teen or child in care.
ddgreely says
?1,2, and 4 are up for debate. Number 3, that’s just the cold hard truth. I’ve lived it!
When a child is small, a baby even, having a home and love is all that’s required. But as the child grows, that changes. Black children have needs that white parents can’t meet. They face issues that white parents can’t understand. They develop identity issues.
S. Michelle says
Adoption saved my life. I can truly say that I would not be who I am if not for the parents God gave me. I have a whole list of things that I could recite as to why, but the mere fact that I have parents is more than enough. Through adolescence I dealt with identity issues that were intensified by my parents’ non-response because they always treated me like their (cause I am, of course). But at certain points in time I needed my parents to actually be sensitive to the fact that I am adopted. Through my experience I encourage those who adopt to educate themselves about the process and continue to do so once they’ve adopted. Adoption is sometimes looked as taking on someone’s “problem.” I totally disagree. According to my parents I am the greatest gift of love that they have every received. I am and will be forever grateful. S/O to my folks they just celebrated 48 years of marriage yesterday!
Mdtek says
My husband & I finished foster care training earlier this year in preparation to foster to adopt. There aren’t a lot of kids in care in my county which is a good thing so we are just waiting for the phone call.
It is such a blessing to have a 2 parent household in the African-American community that we wanted to share this blessing with a child or two who has no idea what this is like. We have 3 kids of our own, and they are also excited about it. My mother has her reservations but I feel “called” to do this. I love being a mom and impacting first hand the next generation of adults. I no longer view my life as something to be indulged but rather to give out of who I am to make so one else better.
Robin G says
ALL FOUR OF THESE STATEMENTS ARE MYTHS!!! Shame on ANYONE who concurs.
Usingmygifts says
Where does God factor into all of this ? A baby is a child of God , period. The circumstances and situations surrounding how a child comes into the world are different with each child whether they are adopted or not. Even whether a child is considered perfectly healthy or born with physical or neurological conditions does not determine what the future may be for the child or the people raising the child. Be wise enough to understand a child does need to identify with people that look like they do. We had books and art in our home that reflect our daughters heritage and ancestry before we even thought about adopting just because our home and lives are multicultural. Our family , church members, and friends are of all colors, cultures, shapes, and sizes. I just read this to our daughter. At first she was afraid and said “What if you make someone mad and they would try to find you and hurt you”. After I assured her that was not going to happen , she smiled, clapped her hands and yelled “Bravo”. Now I will wrap her head and take my White self to bed. Enough said.