What should I consider before proceeding with a transracial adoption?

What should I consider before proceeding with a transracial adoption?

Jennifer Perry (Executive Director, Children's Action Network) gives expert video advice on: Who can adopt a child?; What would make me ineligible to adopt a child?; Which is adopted more - boys or girls? and more...

Before you proceed with a transracial adoption, you should think long and hard about whether you'll be comfortable bringing a child into your home and making sure that they are kept in contact, or made aware of, their culture and where they came from. You must be able to deal with the fact that if you go into grocery store, people may look at you differently. They may make remarks that are totally insensitive. You've got to think about whether you are prepared to deal with that consequence of transracial adoption. You've got to think about whether you are in a place to really provide a great home for that child. You must also be comfortable with making sure they're aware of their heritage and having them do things that connects them back to their heritage.