Does race matter?

February 20, 2012

UTbrie

They place in different race families constantly. It is illegal to consider race when placing a child for a foster placement. Here in Ohio, they are not even allowed to tell you the race of the child when they call you for a placement, unless you specifically ask.

However, if you are taking a child over 3-4 years old, you may want to think about how culturally diverse your area is, if a child from a different race than you would feel comfortable in your home/neighborhood.

Being placed in foster care is tramautic enough for kids, but being the only one of a different race, and culture can really be even further traumatizing.

Since I am only doing 0-5, I am taking any/all races. However, would not really consider adopting or fostering older than that, since my area is NOT diverse at all.

Just things to think about.

This is what they told us in our classes. To really think about race and what exposure that child would have to other kids like them.

My husband and I had to be pretty honest that if we took a child not of our race - they would rarely be exposed to their culture in our area or even see other kids that look like them. In the end we said we would take any race but I am not sure how that would work with us for an older child either.

But I also think that because of the area we live in that it is unlikely we would get children of other races anyway.