How Do You Feel About "Discounting" AA/Biracial Children?

Hi! I'm a CC mom to 2 wonderful biracial boys. I have to admit, with my first son, we were very naive. When I started to research adoption and read in so many places that AA and other minority or biracial children waited because most families were CC and wanted CC babies, I was angry. It was a big part of our choice to adopt transracially. Also, my in-laws are biracial, and I thought that would "help" if we chose to adopt outside our race. I've done a lot to educate myself, make sure the boys have the influence of their own culture, but as they get older, I'm starting to see my job is going to be a lot harder than I thought. Our first agency did charge different fees based on whether you were in the CC or Minority program, and it bothered me, but as they explained it as a way to encourage more adoptive parents to consider transracial adoption, I accepted it. Ultimately, we didn't use them for our second adoption for ethical and financial reasons. Our second agency charged the same fee across the board: about $3,300. It amazes me when I read of agencies charging ten times that amount. Our first agency charged 5 times that at the "discounted" rate. Both our sons were placed quickly; my older in 9 months and the younger in about six. We're very much on the fence as to whether we want a third child; we'd like a girl this time. Boys are, generally, more energetic, etc. At any rate, our two are! :) I've always been the type to have girl friends, more than guys, and although I joke that having two boys has shown me how the other half lives, part of me would really like to have a daughter to share those girly things with. Part of me feels guilty for wanting a girl, specifically. The last agency we used, which we loved, doesn't allow you to choose gender; used to, but said it was too difficult. Often e-parents didn't know or a-parents were disappointed, so they don't do it. Another poster on this forum mentioned an agency which does allow you to choose gender, but only for their Minority program, as an incentive, I assume? They also offer subsidies; do you all agree with the poster who saids subsidies are not offensive in the way that reduced rates are? What do you think about allowing a-parents to choose gender but only for Minority adoptions and subsidies vs. different rates? Thanks for your input.

I am a single, African American woman who is glad the fees are lower. I think the agencies realize there is a need for more AA families to be able to adopt. Adoption should not only be available to a certain few. The average American, no matter what their race, is not able to afford spending $20,000 or more and then care for the child once they get it home. Agency fees are too high to begin with. Thats the issue that needs to be addressed. Not whether AA children are less desirable or worthy because the agencies are charging less for them. Give me a break. IҒm embarrassed by these comments. Stop making it that type of issue. I dont think thatҒs the case. Again, I think they are making it a more reachable goal for people wanting to adopt and nothing more. You educated woman need to stop. Please, its pitiful.:earth:

Do not feel ashamed, the position some took here is realistic, and if your position is your pocket book.. then more power to you. Best wishes

Ah the insult and classism/education attack strategy! Way to add to the discussion.

Twenty thousand seems to be the average now-a-days, for a lot of situations. Can you pm me the agency you are using? not too sure where you are in the adoption process? However, I am interested in the agency, if they advocate lower fees in general, and if they focus on the needs of placing minority children. I keep getting lots of inquiry from folks interested in adopting. Recently one single black woman, who is concerned about her marital status.

NickChris, I'll PM you the agency that I used. I'm AA and single and just had placement the end of 2007. The agency used a sliding scale based on income with a floor of 10k and caps at 20k. I can understand Adoptionislove's exasperation. It seems as though so much of this type of discussion digress into a pool of perceived confrontations and negativity.

Thanks!! :-) I will add it to my list, since I seem to be coming across quite a few folks who are curious about adoption. In general, the Blacks that I know, do not feel the high fees, for quite a few reason. Even the ones with money, that I know do not give up all that cash. It's not a easy topic to discuss, and really its not about raising fees, but its is necesary IMO since when is anything to do with racism easy or nice? Based on our history, the positive spin is the possibility of change.

I am also concerned about the high costs of adoption. I wish more agencies would use a sliding scale based on income of prospective adoptive parents versus having different fees based on the race of the infant. My strong feelings against having different fees based on the infant's race do not come from a desire to be negative, argumentative or imaginary racism. My feelings stem from my conversations with professionals in the domestic adoption fields who are also dismayed by the infant's race being used as a factor in setting these fees. There is nothing I want more than for children to find forever families. I am aware of how much harder it is for African American children to be adopted and I know money is always a factor. I believe agencies should use methods other than discounting Black and biracial babies to find families. Disagree with me based on your own feelings, research, and knowledge ( I cna perfetly understand that) but I do find it belittling to disagree with my opinion because you feel I am imagining a racial issue.

Teendoc interesting you bought that up, lol i had an near experience regarding classism myself this week-end, still laughing about it.

Oh you must share it! Perhaps off the boards. :) I have found that when majority people want to disagree with me, they use the race card as the differentiator. When my own people want to disagree, they throw the class/education card. The goal, as you know, is to disarm and distract from a generally thin argument. I'm not going there. :hypno:

I will.. lol give me some time to type it up.

Hi, I am a single AA who recently finalized an AA infant adoption. In my area, across the board, agencies charged half as much for an AA or biracial infant as for a healty Caucasian. One agency worked exclusively with AA and biracial and charged the same as the other agencies--about half the cost of the other agencies fees for Caucasian infants. The agencies explained the reason being that Caucasian infants being harder to adopt (not as many available) and there being more AA and biracial infants available. I also believe this is why nowadays, more Caucasian couples are adopting AA and biracial infants--because, in short, they are more accessible, less expensive than Caucasian infants. I am also happy that the fees for AA infants are lower, otherwise it would have been out of my budget. In general, adoption costs way too much and even with the lower fees, most AA couples/singles cannot afford to adopt AA infants. This is very unfortunate. I feel so very blessed to have had the privilege.

A lot of info out there and its hard to decipher, until a good research and getting first hand info is done. An agency told me that too, which adds the promiscuity aspect to a black expectant mother. I was told, (and experienced) that more black mothers actually change their mind and parent. In general there are more folks out there who want cc babies, and not black babies, so the main demand is greater than the supply. I have also come across many varied range middle class AA who do adopt both foster, and private.

That's what sliding scales are for.

Fe2002, Would you PM me as well on info regarding your agency. I too am a single AA woman who works in the public schools, creating limitations to income (no employer matching or yearly bonuses, etc). These fees are really difficult to manage and then have to plan, financially, for the care of my child. Thanks.