Transracial and Intercountry Adoptions: Cultural Guidance for Professionals

For social workers, child welfare workers, psychologists, physicians, teachers, parents—anyone who hopes to better understand transracial and international adoption—this book addresses key developmental, cultural, health, and behavioral issues that can emerge post adoption. It also recommends how to recognize and avoid fraud and coercion and how to navigate the complex laws relating to transracial and intercountry adoptions domestically and abroad. With essays by well-known adoption practitioners and researchers who source both empirical research and practical knowledge, the volume describes the day-to-day realities of the adoption journey and is wholly inclusive, offering information about the history, policy, and service requirements relating to white, African American, Asian American, Latino and Mexican American, and Native American children and adoptive families. It also addresses specific problems faced by adoptive families with children and youth from China, Russia, Ethiopia, India, Korea, and Guatemala. A book dedicated to achieving greater cultural sensitivity and coordinated care, this comprehensive text provides targeted guidance on ethnic identity formation, trauma, mental health treatment, the challenges of gay or lesbian adoptions, and a host of other issues not addressed in other volumes.