Intercountry adoptees are usually adopted into an adoptive family of a different racial/ethnic background. This means that often the adoptee lives a life removed from seeing their racial mirrors and can struggle with developing a positive sense of racial identity. Daily micro-aggressions are common.
For Professionals
In May 2022, ICAV ran a webinar panel on Lived Experience of Racism.
ICAV Perspective Paper: Lived Experience of Racism in Transracial and Intercountry Adoption (2022)
Being Raised by White People: Navigating Racial Difference Among Adopted Multiracial Adults by Gina Samuels
The Cultural-Racial Identity Model: Understanding the Racial Identity and Cultural Identity Development of Transracial Adoptees by Amanda Baden
The Impact of Race and Culture on Attachment Security – Part 1 & Part 2 (podcasts) by Chaitra Wirta-Leiker
The Hierarchy of Racial and Cultural Needs of Transracial Adoptees by Chaitra Wirta-Leiker a 2 part webinar series
Balancing Two Worlds: Supporting Transracially Adopted Asian/American Students on the College Campus by Nicholas Hartlep
What is Casual Racism? ; Everyday Racism (podcast) ; Not Your Asian Stereotype by Jessica Walton
International and Transracial Adoptees: Experiences of Racism and Racial Discrimination and Personal Coping Styles by Marijane Hsiao-ling Nguyen
From Model Minority to Racial Threat: Chinese Transracial Adoptees’ Experience Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic by Hannah M Wing
“You were Adopted?!” An Exploratory Analysis of Microaggressions Experienced by Adolescent Adopted Individuals by Karin Garber
The Language of Race – A Qualitative Study on Racial Identity Development of Transracial Asian American Adoptees by Christopher Pheneger
Did You Ever Mind it? On Race and Adoption
How to Talk to Parents about Race if You’re Adopted or Multi racial
I’m not allowed to feel those things: How adoptees experience anti-Asian hate
Racism is an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)
Microaggressions are a Big Deal: How to Talk them out and when to Walk Away
The Personal is Political: Racial Identity and Racial Justice in Transracial Adoption
Too Many White People Believe They Can’t be Racist if they Adopt Black Children
ARK: Australian High Schooler Anti-Racism Kit
Peggy McIntosh’s White Privilege Papers
For Parents
Should You Consider Adopting A Child of Different Race or Ethnicity? (by Dr Gina Samuels)
How Do Transracial Adoptees Develop a Racial Identity? (by Dr Gina Samuels)
How to Process Anti-Asian Racism with your Child (video) by Cameron Lee
White Saviorism & Adoption (video) by Cameron Lee
Transracial Parenting Course (by Astrid Castro, USA based)
Parenting in Racially and Culturally Diverse Adoptive Families
Advice to Parents adopting a Child of another Race
Connecting to People of Colour is Not Automatic for Transracial Adoptees
Be the Bridge: Intentional Cross Race Parenting
Racial Trauma Causes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but Post Traumatic Growth is Real
Anti Racist Adoption Course by Yoni Ejo (UK based)
Bystander Intervention Training
How you can be an Ally in the fight for Racial Justice
Raising Black Children to become Black Adults
Yes, Racism is Taught – But Not The Way You Think
The Talk – How to Speak with Children about Adoption and Race
Living between worlds: Asian adoptees with white families experience racism in isolation
Be the Bridge Transracial Adoption: Foundational Principles for Healthy Cross Race Parenting (downloadable PDF)
Guide – Strengthening & Supporting your Transracial Adoptee (pdf by Creating a Family)
Finding Identity: Growing up a Transracial Adoptee
To White Parents with Brown Babies (Video)
Unheard (Amazon Prime documentary series giving first hand accounts of Racial Injustice in Australia)
Shareable Anti-racism Resource Guide
ICAV blogs that speak about the racial issues we experience
