E-mail
Print
Multi-cultural adoptions on the rise
Could this option be right for your family?
By Nicole Werner
Two generations ago the idea of international adoption was taboo. The flavorful diversity of our country was followed by a bitter racial aftertaste. Even in today's society, differences can still cause discomfort. When thinking about inter-racial adoption this discomfort should be taken into consideration. However, many Americans view different cultural backgrounds with childlike curiosity and enthusiasm.
The opportunity to adopt outside one's national, racial and cultural background is an amazing one. Though adoption itself is a sensitive topic for the families as well as the adoptees, a culturally different adoption can sometimes become even more sensitive. Adopting a child from another country is such an awesome responsibility. By taking that child into your home, into your family, you're saying that you respect that child's culture and that you want so badly to have it be a part of your life.
There are many great reasons to adopt internationally; but there are many bad reasons to as well. It is not responsible to adopt a child from another country because you think that it will fulfill a good deed. It is also unethical to adopt a child that is racially different from you and try to make them 'white' in a cultural sense.
Though some may think that they are doing a wonderful benevolence by giving that adopted child food, shelter and American citizenship, the exchange may very well include a loss far greater for the child: their identity.
It takes a special type of person to adopt internationally. It takes a person who will know the hardships their child will encounter because they look different and their names are unusual. It takes a person who can be sensitive and stand up for their child without sheltering them from the world. It takes someone who realizes that the customs and holidays of that child's background should be honored and that their child will one day have to choose for themselves how they want to live their life.
So if you are considering adopting an adorable child from another country, take a minute and think about why you may want to do so. If your reasons are honorable, then your life will truly be enriched in so many ways.
> Comments