TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Abstract

In this thesis, I will explore the issue of transracial adoption in the United States of America, wherein Caucasian American parents domestically adopt African American children that are not biologically or genetically related to them. In 1972, the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) released an influential position paper, which articulated a strong objection to the practise of transracial adoption. Their position paper has informed and inspired strong objections from other opponents. The NABSW and other opponents of transracial adoption argue that there are certain goods that African American children need, goods that are essential to their healthy development within the United States of America, given its historical, political, and social climate. African American parents and the African American family–adoptive or otherwise––have traditionally been responsible for providing these goods to African American children. Furthermore, the aforesaid opponents of transracial adoption believe that White parents cannot provide these goods to their adoptive Black children, they cannot serve the traditional role of African American parents and the African American family, and thus should not be allowed to adopt African American children. In the first chapter of my thesis, I develop a typology of these goods, wherein I philosophically explicate and define exactly what these goods are and why they are important for African American children. In chapter two, I explore the issue of whether African American children need African American parents to provide these goods for them, or whether White parents and families can sufficiently serve the traditional role of Black parents and provide these goods to their adoptive Black children. Finally, in chapter three, I explore the moral responsibilities that Caucasian American parents who adopt African American children have in order to provide for the aforementioned goods, and meet the unique needs of their children.