Publication 2
 
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Inside Transracial Adoption

by Gail Steinberg and Beth Hall

What's "normal?" Where do we live and go to school? Does class have an influence? How can parents become aware and informed and honest enough to combat racism both inside and outside their families? How does a child of color develop racial identity, feel that he "fits" in both culture of family and culture of origin, and build confidence as an adult of his race when raised by white parents?

Using a careful blend of academic research, social reality and personal experience, Steinberg and Hall have honed their experiences working with thousands of transracial and transcultural adoptive families and as the recipients of three federal grants on transracial adoption, to offer detailed, step-by-step, get-real guidance for families about tough issues they will have to face related to race and adoption. They do so with humor and pathos, confrontation and empathy, mixed liberally with the gutsy panache for which they are well known in the U.S. adoption community This is a must-read book that pulls no punches. It is destined to become the classic guide to living Inside Transracial Adoption !

 

This material has been adapted and excerpted from http://www.pactadopt.org. For a look at this book´s table of contents and reviews, please see http://www.pactadopt.org/inside.html
 

 

Book Review- Inside Transracial Adoption
By Jane Claire
Ferre Institute, Inc.

A wonderful new book on an under-publicized topic, Inside Transracial Adoption explores this issue through the eyes of two adoptive mothers with very diverse families. While the book is written for the adoptive parent audience, its insights will be very valuable for family building professionals, as well as all individuals concerned with race, ethnicity, and identity. Topics include history and definitions; appropriate language choices; building bridges between transracial families and communities of color; stages of racial identity; the concept of white privilege; developmental stages and parenting; resources available to transracial families; extended family concerns, and many more. Although many personal anecdotes are used to illustrate issues, this book is also scholarly with a helpful bibliography. There is also a special section at the end with information tailored to specific communities of color.

Inside Transracial Adoption doesn´t mince words, or pull any punches. It acknowledges that transracial adoption is not yet wholly accepted by the white majority. or by communities of color, and that such families will face many obstacles. However, the authors also convey the excitement that comes with pioneering a future in which differences can be accepted and celebrated with love. This is a book that comes at just the right time for both families and professionals.