General Question

October 8, 2003

Hi everybody!

I am a social work student in sounthern Alberta, and I am working on a report about the issues that arise post-adoption in inter-racial and inter-ethnic adoptions. If anyone would be willing to tell me their story about how well/or not well there adopted children have adjusted, any issues you might have had to deal with because of a difference in race or ethnicity, and how you found was teh best way to deal with these problems, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

Emily

bevy

October 17, 2003

Hi Emily,

My husband and I adopted our baby girl from the US (we are from BC) and although she is only 20 months old, acceptance has been amazing. She is biracial (african american/ caucasian) and obviously looks a different ethnicity than my husband and I. I have had only 2-3 comments on her background with all of the rest just commenting on her curly hair or nice skin tone. I am sure that people know that she is of some descent other than mine or my husbands, but people don't ask. I don't think they really care or have an opinion that needs to be verbalized. I don't know if that will really help you at all seeing how we haven't really encountered any trouble with her ethnicity but as of now, she is loved by all.

Bevy

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Jensboys

October 17, 2003

Hi ... We are also adoptive parents from BC and I run the adoptive families support group in our community and provide education through MCFD to pre-adoptive families.

We adopted a sibling group, then ages 3 and 4 from the USA as well just over 4 years ago. The boys are african-american.

I would be happy to explain my story and their adjustment, including racial issues. We also have two biological children (caucasion) and am able to compare the differences (AND THEIR HAVE BEEN SOME) in people's reactions, the children's responses and racial awareness in all 4 kids. There have been some startling changes in our bio kids as well.

You can pm me through here or email me directly at sjnickel@hotmail.com. Please put adoption in the subject line as I delete any emails from addresses I dont recognize. Thanks.