Course /Foster Parenting 101- Foster to Adopt
Many foster and adoptive families are transracial, meaning the child is of a different race or cultural background than one or both of the parents.
Children in foster or adoptive families may face subtle — and sometimes overt — forms of discrimination based on their family status. They might be treated as “less real” than biological children or asked invasive questions about their background.
When race is also a factor, these challenges can intensify. Research published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found that children of color in transracial placements may experience hundreds of racial microaggressions per month. Because of this, it’s vital that foster and adoptive parents address racial and cultural issues directly.
Experts recommend two key strategies:
Cultural Socialization — affirming and celebrating the child’s racial and cultural identity.
Preparation for Bias — teaching the child how to recognize and respond to discrimination.
Both approaches have been shown to strengthen a child’s self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.
Cultural socialization means the entire family takes a genuine interest in the child’s culture, race, and heritage. This includes learning about their history, language, music, food, books, and traditions.
A great real-world example is Styles4Kidz in Chicago — a salon that helps transracial families learn African American hair care and styling traditions. These services not only teach practical skills but also help children feel proud and connected to their cultural roots.
Data strongly supports the value of cultural socialization. In a study of 241 U.S. Caucasian families who adopted children from Korea, those who actively practiced cultural engagement saw children who were 26% more likely to have higher self-esteem.
Preparation for bias involves open, honest conversations with your child about how people may act or speak hurtfully based on race or ethnicity. These talks can be uncomfortable — especially with younger children — but they are essential.
The goal isn’t to frighten them but to help them respond confidently and thoughtfully, both internally and externally, when facing discrimination. Without this preparation, children are left to interpret painful experiences on their own.
A study of 66 transracially adopted adolescents found that those whose parents practiced preparation for bias and cultural socialization experienced less emotional stress after encountering racist remarks — particularly among those who faced frequent bias growing up.
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