A person’s race or skin color can affect many areas of their life. Some people judge others based on their ethnic background. The word ethnic refers to the culture, religion, or language a group of people may share. For example, African-American’s share a different ethnic background than the one shared by Asian-American’s.

These are all things that can play a role in the world of adoption also. Some families adopt children who do not have the same skin color or ethnic background as they do. This type of adoption is called transracial adoption.
Transracial, or transcultural, adoption is when a child of one race or ethnic background is adopted by a family of another race or ethnic background. This may happen either by international or domestic adoption.

It can be difficult for families because other people on the street, at the store, or maybe in school will sometimes ask hurtful questions about why the child does not look like the rest of their family. This is one reason that some people do not believe that transracial adoption is a good idea.

Some other people do not believe transracial adoption is okay because they are afraid that a child will not understand the culture or ethnic background of their birth family if their adoptive family is of a different race.

It takes a lot of work to understand race, color and culture when a family is a part of a transracial adoption. It can be very rewarding though, and it can lead to loving, forever families.