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Biracial Families pp 183–204Cite as

Biracial Families Formed Through Adoption

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Abstract

While the majority of biracial families are formed by adults of different races coming together, there are a growing number of biracial families that result from adults of one race adopting children of another race. Specifically, the number of white parents with minority children has grown in recent decades, but concerns exist regarding white parents’ ability to successfully prepare their children for life as a racial minority. This chapter first summarizes the landscape of transracial adoption, including the prevalence and types of such adoption. We then review research on transracial adoption, the majority of which focuses on family factors impacting the mental health and adjustment of adoptees. Special attention is given to the role of racial socialization in promoting resiliency in transracial adoptees. Finally, consideration is given to emerging research on the racial dynamics of these biracial adoptive families. Implications for clinical work and recommendations for critical areas of research are provided.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

    Leigh A. Leslie & Jennifer L. Young

  2. Department of Family Studies and Community Development, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA

    Katie M. Hrapczynski

Authors
  1. Leigh A. Leslie
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  2. Katie M. Hrapczynski
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  3. Jennifer L. Young
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Correspondence to Leigh A. Leslie .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA

    Roudi Nazarinia Roy

  2. Child and Family Development Program School of Human Services, Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO, USA

    Alethea Rollins

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Leslie, L.A., Hrapczynski, K.M., Young, J.L. (2019). Biracial Families Formed Through Adoption. In: Nazarinia Roy, R., Rollins, A. (eds) Biracial Families. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96160-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96160-6_9

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-96160-6

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