Intercultural Adoption

Adoption is an increasingly popular way to create families in situations when parents are unable to have children of their own, such as those in same-sex marriages. It is also a way for parents who are so motivated to offer a different kind of life to a child that might have otherwise suffered in a neglectful or impoverished environment. Intercultural adoption is a challenging form of adoption, but it should be encouraged because it enriches both the child and the adoptive family, when it is prepared for and executed properly.

One of the most common reasons for intercultural adoption is availability. Families looking to adopt in the United States are far more common than children to be adopted that match the race of the families. There are fewer Caucasian children available for adoption than children of other races and fewer American children than non-American children (Child Welfare 14). It only makes sense to encourage intercultural adoption so as many children as possible have a chance to be adopted. This mixing of cultures also creates more diverse homes.

For families who intend to adopt a child from a different culture, some education is essential to create a smooth transition. Of course there is a concern about whether or not adoptive parents will be sensitive to a child’s particular cultural needs; a family that intends to adopt should always make every effort to prepare for their new child (Rice 18). That does not at all exclude intercultural adoption, however. If anything it encourages it even more as it adds diversity to the lives of both the adoptive family and the adopted child. The effect can be even more essential than that, however.

Sometimes intercultural adoption saves the life of a child that would otherwise be abandoned or poorly cared for. In situations like the crack epidemic of the ‘80s when large numbers of black children were orphaned by arrests, overdoses, or drug-related violence, intercultural adoption was the only hope some of them had (WKSU 3). The world is full of similar crises where children are left forgotten and hurt and need to be cared for by anyone who is willing to do so. Unfortunately, the number of uncared for children gives the abortion debate legs as many of these pregnancies would likely have been terminated if the parents had been given the opportunity to do so.

Adoption is always a tricky proposition and intercultural adoption even more so. It should never be undertaken lightly or without adequate preparation. The potential good that can be done by intercultural adoption is too great for the practice to be ignored, though. Instead it should be encouraged and encouraged to be done correctly for the good of children in need and families with love to give.

Works Cited

Child Welfare Information Gateway. "U.S. Department of Health and Human Services." Administration for Children and Families. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. <https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs

Rice, Yisrael. "Intercultural Adoption & You." Chabad. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. <http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/439452/jewish/Intercultural-Adoption

WKSU. "Intercultural Adoption." WKSU. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2013. <www.wksu.org/news/features/adoption/interculturaladoption/page3