The Role Of Transcultural / Transracial Placement Essay

Currently there is a disproportionate number of minority children in foster care system and as a result, individuals and families of other races or cultures are becoming caregivers and guardians for children of different ethnicities. This is what is known as transcultural/transracial placement and has been a highly controversial happening since the 1970’s and 80’s. The concern amongst social workers and child welfare agencies in transracial placements is the loss of culture or racial identity that may result for the child. Because of the disproportion between the ethnicity of a child and the same or similar ethnicity of a potential foster family, the notion of transracial placement has gone through many changes. As a result of several acts signed into law, considering the race of a child and/or the foster family is no longer part of placement guidelines. (U.S. Commissions On Civil Rights, 2010). While this is a positive change to ensure children are in institution al care for no longer than necessary, it could also leave the door open for the chance of racial disparity, a loss of a child’s sense of biological self, poor cultural identity, and could hinder a child’s ability to cope with being different. Research suggests â€Å"when children are removed from their cultures or when their cultures are not acknowledged and appreciated emotional trauma and behavior problems are exacerbated† (Coakley Buehler, 2009) This can be minimized or even avoided if the foster family isShow MoreRelatedThe Challenges of Transracial Adoption Essay2059 Words   |  9 Pagesadoption in 2010 (AFCARS). With so many children needing homes, it would seem their adoption would be open to any and all loving families, yet this is not the necessarily the case. Transracial adoption, which traditionally alludes to black children placed with white families, is riddled with difficulties. While transracial adoption can be a successful solution, many obstacles are encountered in each step of the process. Prior to the 1990’s adoption guidelines dictated that raced be used as a decidingRead MoreAdoption For A Child s Life1609 Words   |  7 Pagesperson can attend about any adoption agency as well as seminar of professionals or child-seeking parents and normally the attendees present are female. The ideal question focuses on the adoptive fathers’ role in the child’s life and if his role should be overlooked. In order to understand a fathers’ role whether birth or adoptive, one must understand each man’s route to adoption, unique circumstances, and characteristics (Siegal, 2003). Nonetheless, there are many different routes to adoption as well