Transracial adoption (also known as interracial or multiracial adoption) is when parents adopt a child of a different race or ethnicity. Most commonly in the US, transracial adoption is white parents adopting children of color. However, situations in which parents of color are raising white children are not uncommon. 

Transracial adoptions have increased significantly in the last 20 years. Estimates are that more than 40% of all adoptions in the US are transracial, via domestic infant adoption, foster care adoption, or international adoptions. Additionally, with kinship caregiving on the rise, it’s common for grandparents or aunts and uncles to raise a child of another race when the birth parents cannot.

Research tells us that transracially adopted children compare favorably to children adopted into same-race families. However, listening to adult transracial adoptees tells us that raising a child of a different race requires additional layers for parents. Transracial adoption can be easier for kids when adoptive or foster parents or kinship caregivers are educated and well-prepared to raise a child of another race.

More specifically, when parents or caregivers do not share the same race and ethnicity as their child, they have the added responsibility to help the child form a healthy racial identity. We do not live in a color-blind world. Therefore, we must be intentional in supporting these children to develop their sense of self while processing their adoption stories. For example, parents and caregivers should seek mentors and racial mirrors for their transracially adopted children and become educated about the child’s racial or ethnic background. They can also expose their whole family to excellent diverse experiences through media, books, cultural events and more.