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Adoption within One?s Race: Is it Worth the Wait - in Foster Care?

By Janet Langjahr

It seems that the answer depends on who is answering the question.

A report just released, and endorsed by several associations, concludes that it is worth the extra wait for minority foster children.

The reasons cited were that minority children adopted into white families “face special challenges” and that “white parents need preparation and training for what might lie ahead”.

On the other hand, many child welfare workers say that the federal law that makes the adoption process race-neutral has helped many minority children find permanent homes - and sooner.

It is unknown whether the report addresses whether children in foster care “face special challenges” … particularly when they remain in the child welfare system for prolonged periods of time, even through the age of majority.

Maybe the answer really turns on precisely how much longer minority children will be doing the waiting. At least to the minority children doing the waiting in foster care.

One has to wonder: was the question put to any of them - while they were still children in foster care?

Read more in this New York Times article: De-emphasis on Race in Adoption Is Criticized.

Full post as published by Florida Divorce - Child Custody - Domestic Abuse Law on May 27, 2008 (boomark / email).