Transracial or transcultural adoption means
placing a child who is of one race or ethnic
group with adoptive parents of another race
or ethnic group. In the United States these
terms usually refer to the placement of children
of color or children from another country
with Caucasian adoptive parents.
People choose to adopt transracially or transculturally
for a variety of reasons. Fewer young Caucasian
children are available for adoption in the
United States than in years past, and some
adoption agencies that place Caucasian children
do not accept singles or applicants older
than 40. Some prospective adoptive parents
feel connected to a particular race or culture
because of their ancestry or through personal
experiences such as travel or military service.
Others simply like the idea of reaching out
to children in need, no matter where they
come from.
Adoption experts have different opinions
about this kind of adoption. Some say that
children available for adoption should always
be placed with a family with at least one
parent of the same race or culture as the
child. This is so the child can develop a
strong racial or cultural identity. These
people say that adoption agencies with a strong
commitment to working with families of color
and that are flexible in their procedures
are very successful in recruiting "same race"
families. Other experts say that race should
not be considered at all when selecting a
family for a child. To them, a loving family
that can meet the needs of a particular child
is all that matters. Still others suggest
that after an agency works very hard to recruit
a same-race family for a certain period of
time but does not find one, the child should
be placed with a loving family of any race
or culture who can meet the child's needs.
Despite the experts' differing opinions,
there are many transracial and transcultural
families, and many more will be formed. If
you are or wish to be a parent in one of these
families, this fact sheet will help you by
answering two questions: (1) What should you
do to prepare for adopting a child of a race
or culture different from yours? and (2) After
adoption, what can you do to help your child
become a stable, happy, healthy individual,
with a strong sense of cultural and racial
identity?
How You Can Prepare for a Transracial or
Transcultural Adoption
Preparation for adoption is important for
anyone thinking about adopting a child. It
is even more important for parents considering
transracial or transcultural adoption because
it will introduce you to all aspects of adoptive
parenthood, help you learn about adoption
issues, and help you identify the type of
child you wish to parent. Any adoption agency
that conducts and supervises transracial or
transcultural adoptions should provide this
important service. If you are undertaking
an independent adoption, you should seek counseling
and training in these areas. You should also
read as many articles and books as you can
on the subject. (See the resource list at
the end of this fact sheet.)
The following sections describe some issues
to consider as you prepare for a transracial
or transcultural adoption.
Examine Your Beliefs and Attitudes About
Race and Ethnicity
While you may think you know yourself and
your family members very well, it is important
to examine your beliefs and attitudes about
race and ethnicity before adopting a child
of another race or culture. Try to think if
you have made any assumptions about people
because of their race or ethnic group. There
are two reasons for this exercise: (1) to
check yourself -- to be sure this type of
adoption will be right for you; and (2) to
prepare to be considered "different."
When you adopt a child of another race or
culture, it is not only the child who is different.
Your family becomes a "different" family.
Some people are comfortable with difference.
To them, difference is interesting, wonderful,
and special. Other people are not so comfortable
with difference, and are scared by it. Thus,
some friends, family members, acquaintances,
and even strangers will rush to your side
to support you, while others may make negative
comments and stare. During the pre-adoption
phase, you should think about how you will
respond to the second group in a way that
will help your child feel good about himself
or herself. (We'll give you some ideas a little
later.)
When your child is young, an extra hug and
a heart-to-heart talk might be all it takes
to help him or her through a difficult situation.
While the hugs and the heart-to-heart talks
never stop, as your child gets older, you
and your child will need more specific coping
skills to deal with the racial bias you might
face together as a family. Are you ready to
fully understand these issues and help your
family deal with whatever happens?
Think About Your Lifestyle
Before considering a transracial or transcultural
adoption, take a look at your current lifestyle.
Do you already live in an integrated neighborhood,
so that your child will be able to attend
an integrated school? If not, would you consider
moving to a new neighborhood? Do you already
have friends of different races and ethnic
groups? Do you visit one another's homes regularly?
Do you attend multicultural festivals? Do
you enjoy different kinds of ethnic foods?
How much of a leap would it be to start doing
some of these things?
It is important for children of color growing
up with Caucasian parents to be around adults
and children of many ethnic groups, and particularly,
to see adult role models who are of the same
race or ethnic group. These people can be
their friends, teach them about their ethnic
heritage, and as they mature, tell them what
to expect when they are an adult in your community.
Can you make these types of relationships
available for your child?
Consider Adopting Siblings
It is always good for siblings to be adopted
together. It is no different in the case of
transracial or transcultural adoption. Siblings
who are adopted together have the security
of seeing another person in the family who
looks like them. They are able to bring a
part of their early history and birth family
with them to their adoptive family, which
may help them adjust better. And with internationally
adopted children, being together might mean
they will be able to keep up their native
language.
Let's say, then, that you have examined your
beliefs and attitudes about race and ethnicity.
You have thought about your lifestyle and
considered adopting siblings. You are sure
you want to adopt a child from another race
or culture. What comes next?
How You Can Help Your Child To Become a
Stable, Happy, Healthy Individual With a Strong
Sense of Racial or Cultural Identity
The seven parenting techniques listed below
were compiled from books and articles on adoption
and by interviewing experts in transracial
and transcultural adoption. Some of these
"techniques" are common sense and apply to
all adopted children. However, with transracially
or transculturally adopted children, these
techniques are especially important.
Parents in a transracial or transcultural
family should do the following:
Become intensely invested in parenting;
Tolerate no racially or ethnically biased
remarks;
Surround yourselves with supportive family
and friends;
Celebrate all cultures;
Talk about race and culture;
Expose your child to a variety of experiences
so that he or she develops physical and
intellectual skills that build self-esteem;
and
Take your child to places where most of
the people present are from his or her race
or ethnic group.
The next sections provide more information
on these techniques.
Become Intensely Invested in Parenting
Dr. Larry Schreiber, former president of
the North
American Council on Adoptable Children
(NACAC), an umbrella organization for a large
number of adoptive parent support groups in
the United States and Canada, wrote a column
about his transracial adoption experience
in the Winter 1991 issue of Adoptalk, 1
the NACAC newsletter. He characterizes transracial
parenting as a "roller coaster of exaggerated
parenting." As a Caucasian adoptive father
of African-American, Latino, Korean, Cambodian,
East Indian, and Caucasian children, he describes
transracial parenting as the most joyous experience
of his life. He admits that he doesn't really
know what it is like to endure the racially-biased
name-calling that his children have experienced,
but he was always there for them when they
needed to be comforted and to help them get
through those difficult times.
Dr. Schreiber says that transracial parenting
has both complicated and enriched his life.
He had to work hard to help his children develop
their cultural pride and self-esteem in a
world that sometimes does not understand or
is unkind to people from different cultures.
However, he believes his children did overcome
these difficulties and were able to develop
positive cultural identities, mostly because
of the help his family received from adoptive
parent support groups and from other adults
of the same cultural groups as his children.
Ms. RoAnne Elliott is another experienced
adoptive parent in an interracial family who
has written about the importance of investing
in parenting. An African-American woman, Ms.
Elliott encourages parents in transracial
families to empower themselves and believe
strongly that their family belongs together.
She writes, "You need the firm knowledge in
your heart and in your mind that you are the
best parent for your children. This empowerment
is key, since you can't parent well if you
don't feel confident, competent, and entitled
to do so."2
She says that being in an interracial family
is the opportunity of a lifetime, allowing
you to embark on "a journey of personal transformation,
growing in your ability to nurture your children
along the way. This involves an alert awareness
of difference and an optimistic expectation
that cultural differences among us will lead
to rewarding personal connections and friendships."3
The message, then, is that transracial parenting
is not laid-back, catch-as-catch-can parenting.
According to these two experienced adoptive
parents, the demands are great, but so are
the rewards.
Tolerate No Racially or Ethnically Biased
Remarks
As adoptive parents in an interracial or
intercultural family, you should refuse to
tolerate any kind of racially or ethnically
biased remark made in your presence. This
includes remarks about your child's race or
ethnic group, other races and ethnic groups,
or any other characteristic such as gender,
religion, age and physical or other disability.
Make it clear that it is not okay to make
fun of people who are different, and it is
not okay to assume that all people of one
group behave the same way.4 Teach your children how to
handle these remarks, by saying, for instance,
"I find your remark offensive. Please don't
say that type of thing again," or "Surely
you don't mean to be critical, you just don't
have experience with . . ." or "You couldn't
be deliberately saying such an inappropriate
comment in front of a child. You must mean
something else."
Try to combat the remarks while giving the
person a chance to back off or change what
has been said. This way you will teach your
child to stand up to bias without starting
a fight -- which could put your child at risk.
In addition, by being gracious and giving
others a chance to overcome their bias/ignorance,
you can help to change their beliefs and attitudes
over time. Positive exchanges about race will
always be more helpful than negative ones.
Surround Yourselves With Supportive Family
and Friends
While you were thinking about adopting transracially
or transculturally, did you find some people
in your circle of family and friends who were
especially supportive of your plans to become
a multicultural family? If so, surround yourself
with these people! In addition, seek out other
adoptive families, other transracial or multicultural
families, and other members of your child's
racial or ethnic group. You will be surprised
by how helpful many people will want to be,
whether it is to show you how to cook an ethnic
dish or teach you some words in their language.
According to Ms. RoAnne Elliott, "You need
a supportive community comprised of many races
-- those who will be role models and provide
inspiration, those who will stimulate your
thinking, those who fill your desire for cultural
diversity, and those who will challenge you
in constructive and respectful ways.5
Celebrate All Cultures
As a multicultural family, you should value
all cultures. Teach your child that every
ethnic group has something worthwhile to contribute,
and that diversity is this country's and your
family's strength. For example, you might
give your Korean daughter a Korean doll, but
you might also start a collection for her
of dolls of many different racial and ethnic
groups. If your child is from South America,
go to the Latino festival in your town, but
also visit the new Native-American art exhibit,
eat at the Greek fair, and dance at the Polish
dance hall. Incorporate the art, music, drama,
literature, clothing, and food of your child's
ethnic group and others into your family's
daily life.6
Invite friends from other cultures to celebrate
your holidays and special occasions, and attend
their events as well.
The area of religion brings up special concerns.
You may wish to take your child to a place
of worship in your community where most of
the members are from the same ethnic group
as your child; for example, you could bring
your East Indian child to a Hindu temple or
your Russian child to a Russian Orthodox church.
What an opportunity to meet people of his
ethnic group, find adult role models, and
learn the customs of his heritage! However,
before you do this, be sure you could be supportive
if your child decides to practice that religion.
If you have your heart set on raising your
child in your own family's religion - one
that is different from the religion practiced
in the place of worship you will visit --
tell your child that the visit is for a cultural,
not religious, purpose or perhaps decide not
to visit at all. Practically speaking, you
can impose your religious practice on your
child for only a few years. As an adult, your
child will ultimately decide whether to practice
any religion at all, and whether it will be
one that people of his or her heritage often
practice, your family's religion, or yet another
one that he or she chooses.
While it is important to teach your child
that differences among people are enriching,
it is also important to point out similarities.
One expert suggests that in an adoptive family
the ratio should be two similarities for each
difference.7
For instance, to a young child you might say,
"Your skin is darker than Daddy's, but you
like to play music, just like he does, and
you both love strawberry ice cream." As much
as you want to celebrate your child's distinctive
features, he or she also needs to feel a sense
of belonging in the family.
Talk About Race and Culture
How has race or culture defined you? What
is life like for a Latino person in America?
What is life like for a Caucasian person?
An African-American person? An Asian person?
How are persons of different ethnic groups
treated by police officers, restaurant employees,
social organizations, or government agencies?
What do you think about interracial dating
and marriage? As a multicultural family, you
need to address these and other racial matters.
Talk about racial issues, even if your child
does not bring up the subject. Use natural
opportunities, such as a television program
or newspaper article that talks about race
in some way. Let your child know that you
feel comfortable discussing race-the positive
aspects as well as the difficult ones. On
the positive side, a child of a certain race
may be given preferential treatment or special
attention. On the other hand, even a young
child needs to know that while your family
celebrates difference, other families do not
know many people who are different. These
families are sometimes afraid of what they
do not know or understand, and may react at
times in unkind ways. It can be difficult
to deal with such issues, especially when
your child is young and does not yet know
that some adults have these negative feelings,
but you have to do it. You will help your
child become a strong, healthy adult by preparing
him or her to stand up in the face of ignorance,
bias, or adversity.
Stand behind your children if they are the
victim of a racial incident or have problems
in your community because of the unkind actions
of others. This does not mean you should fight
their battles for them, but rather support
them and give them the tools to deal with
the blows that the world may hand them. Confront
racism openly. Discuss it with your friends
and family and the supportive multicultural
community with which you associate. Rely on
adults of color to share their insights with
both you and your child. Above all, if your
child's feelings are hurt, let him talk about
the experience with you, and acknowledge that
you understand.
Ms. Lois Melina,8
a Caucasian adoptive parent of Korean children
and a noted adoption writer, lists five questions
for you to ask your child to help him or her
deal with problem situations:
What happened?
How did that make you feel?
What did you say or do when that happened?
If something like that happens again,
do you think you will deal with it the same
way?
Would you like me to do something?
It is important to leave the choice of your
involvement up to your child. This way, you
show that you are available to help, but also
that you have confidence in your child's ability
to decide when your help is needed.
Expose Your Child to a Variety of Experiences
so That He or She Develops Physical and Intellectual
Skills That Build Self-Esteem
This parenting technique is important for
all children, but it is especially important
for children of color. Children of color need
every tool possible to build their self-esteem.
While society has made strides in overcoming
certain biases and forms of discrimination,
there remain many subtle and not-so-subtle
color or race-related messages that are discouraging
and harmful to young egos. Be alert to negative
messages that are associated with any race
or culture. Point them out as foolish and
untrue. Emphasize that each person is unique
and that we all bring our own individual strengths
and weaknesses into the world. Frequently
compliment your child on his or her strengths.
Draw attention to the child's ability to solve
math problems, play ball, dance, play a musical
instrument, ride a bike, take photographs,
perform gymnastics, or any other activity
that increases confidence. Self-esteem is
built on many small successes and lots of
acknowledgement. A strong ego will be better
able to deal with both the good and the bad
elements of society.
As your child gets older, keep in touch with
his or her needs: this might mean buying him
or her a few of the in clothes or enrolling
him or her on the popular teams. Stay in tune
with your child's natural skills and talents,
and do whatever you can to help him or her
develop them at each age.
Take Your Child to Places Where Most of
the People Present are from His or Her Race
or Ethnic Group
If you bring your African-American child
to an African-American church, or your Peruvian
child to a Latino festival, your child will
experience being in a group in which the number
of people present of his ethnic group is larger
than the number of Caucasians present. Adoptive
family support group events are other places
where this might happen. Children usually
enjoy these events very much. If you adopted
a young child from another country, you might
consider taking a trip to that country when
the child is older and can understand what
the trip is all about. Many adoptive families
who take such a trip find it to be a wonderful
learning experience.9
Another benefit of such an experience is
that it might be one of the few times when
you feel what it is like to be in the minority.
This will increase your awareness and ability
to understand your child's experience as a
minority individual.
Transracial adoption is a "hot" topic in
the media and in adoption circles. There is
quite a lot of activity in this area of adoption
practice. We offer the following brief sections
for your information.
Where Can I Find Out More About Transracial
or Transcultural Adoption?
The Child
Welfare Information Gateway (formerly
the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (NAIC)
often receives questions about which adoption
agencies place children transculturally or
transracially. The answer is twofold. Intercountry
adoption agencies register with the NAIC.
Their names often signal the kinds of adoptions
they conduct (for example, if they have the
word "international" in their name). These
agencies are marked with an asterisk in NAIC's
National Adoption Directory. However, many
agencies are not as open about their policy
on transracial adoption because of some of
the controversial issues surrounding this
type of adoption. Ask your local adoption
agencies about their policies in this area,
especially if you are strongly considering
this type of adoption.
Legislation
In 1994, transracial adoption was the subject
of a bill before Congress submitted by Senator
Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio. After intense debate,
the Multiethnic
Placement Act (MEPA) passed both houses
of Congress. One positive outcome of the debate
is that people who historically have been
on opposite sides of the question are beginning
to reach some common ground. One point that
everyone agrees on is that adults of all cultures
need to work together to help adopted children
of all cultures reach their highest potential.
Statistics
Although available statistics are rough estimates,
several sources show that the percentage of
transracial or transcultural adoptions in
the United States is significant. For example,
one source estimates that 1,000 to 2,000 African-American
children are adopted by Caucasian families
each year.10
Data from the Immigration and Naturalization
Service show that U.S. families adopted 7,088
children from other countries in 1990. This
means that there were roughly 8,500 transracial
or transcultural adoptions in 1990. In that
same year, there were almost 119,000 adoptions
of all kinds.11
Since approximately half of the adoptions
in any year are stepparent or relative adoptions,
in 1990 there were about 59,500 nonrelative
adoptions. The percentage of transracial/transcultural
adoptions (8,500 of 59,500) then, comes out
to more than 14 percent.
Adopting a child of another race or culture
can be a richly rewarding choice for many
families, although there are also many unique
challenges and concerns. Hopefully the information
provided in this fact sheet will provide food
for thought and become part of the ongoing
discussion in your home. The resources listed
at the end of this fact sheet should also
be helpful.
Written by Debra G. Smith, ACSW, Director
of the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse,
1994. Used by permission.
Internet links added by Adoptions.com
2000
Bibliography
Abramovitz, Melissa. "Living in a Racially-Mixed
Family: A Question of Attitude." OURS,
Jul-Aug 1991, v24 n4, p. 27.
Ahn, Helen Noh. Identity Development in
Korean Adolescent Adoptees: Eriksonian Ego
Identity and Racially Ethnic Identity.
Berkeley, CA: University of California School
of Social Welfare, 1989.
Barnes, Donna. "Building a Family: One Color
at a Time." AdoptNet, Nov-Dec 1992,
v3 n6, pp. 7-8.
Melina, Lois. "Cultural Identity Goes Beyond
Ethnic Foods, Dolls." Adopted Child,
Dec 1988, v7 n12, pp. 1-4.
____________. "Transracial Adoptees Can Develop
Racial Identity, Coping Strategies." Adopted
Child, Jan 1994, v13 n1, pp. 1-4.
Neal, Leora and Stumph, Al. "Transracial
Parenting: If It Happens, How White Parents
and the Black Community Can Work Together."
Adoptalk, Winter 1993, p. 6.
Thorp, Judy. "Our Trip to Chicago's Little
India." OURS, May-Jun 1992, v25 n3,
pp. 36-38.
Van Gulden, Holly. "Attachment and Bonding
in Adoptive Families," Workshop at Families
Adopting Children Everywhere (F.A.C.E.) Conference,
Towson, Maryland, May 1992.
Note: Each of the above organizations holds
conferences in which workshops on relevant
topics are audiotaped. For a list of all workshop/tape
titles, contact Von Ende Communications, 3211
St. Margaret Drive, Golden Valley, MN 55422
(612) 529-4493.
People of Every Stripe
P.O. 83102
Portland, OR 97283
Local Parent Support Groups
There are too many of these to mention here.
We have listed a few of the larger, well-known
ones. Contact NAIC, AFA, or NACAC for listings
of all groups in your state.
Pact
Press
4179 Piedmont Avenue
Suite 101
Oakland, CA 94611
(415) 221-6957
Audiovisual Materials
American
Eyes (VHS; 30 minutes; 1991)
Tells the story of a Korean-born 16-year-old
boy named John who was adopted by a Caucasian
American family at the age of 10 months as
he encounters racial prejudice at school and
suffers blows to his self-esteem and cultural
identity. The tape touches on a number of
other topics, including America's pluralistic
society, minority rights, and contributions
of multiethnic and multiracial groups. Excellent
for support groups of families with teenage
children adopted from other countries. Available
from The
Media Guild, 11722 Sorrento Valley Rd.,
Ste. E, San Diego, CA 92121-9823, (619) 755-9191
or (800) 886-9191, fax (619) 755-4931. $295.00 Note: As of 2008, this no longer appears
to be available. Adoptions.com
A New Life in America (VHS; 10 minutes; 1991)
Explains how and why Korean adoption works
in the United States and what Korean-born
children feel and experience as adoptees.
Provides an orientation to adoption as a lifelong
experience that is helpful for prospective
adoptive parents, their extended families,
young adoptees, and their classmates. Available
from the Children's
Home Society of Minnesota, 2230 Como Ave.,
St. Paul, MN 55108 (612) 646-6393. $15.00
(plus $4.00 shipping and handling; Minnesota
residents add 6.5% sales tax). Note: As of 2008, this no longer
appears to be available. Adoptions.com
Raising a Child of a Different Race or Ethnic
Background (audiocassette; 90 minutes; 1990)
December 17, 2008 decide to adopt transracially or transculturally.
Emphasizes the need for families to help
their children develop skills to deal with
being minorities and a positive attitude
toward their race or culture. Available from
Adopted Child, P.O. Box 9362, Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 882-1794. $11.00
Transracial Adoption: Now That They Are Grown
(audiocassette)
An audiotape of an actual workshop session
on transracial adoption as seen through the
eyes and experiences of several adult adoptees.
Facilitated by Barbara Tremitiere, it presents
pertinent questions that help the listener
assess the challenges and implications of
transracial adoptions. Available from Tremitiere,
Ward and Associates, c/o Barbara Tremitiere,
122 W. Springettsbury Ave., York, PA 17403.
$10.00 (plus $1.50 shipping and handling).
Winning at Adoption (VHS, 120 minutes; 3
audiocassettes, 60, 45, and 90 minutes; 1991)
This videotape covers how to select an agency
or attorney, specific strategies for finding
a child, making adoption work for both the
adoptive and birth families, and adoption
as a lifelong process. The audiocassettes
cover Adoption Readiness,Transcultural/Transracial
Adoptions,Adopting a Child With Special Needs,
and About the Birthfamily. Also includes a
60-page workbook. Package is available from
Kinship Alliance, 513 E. First St., Tustin,
CA 92680 (714) 573-8865, fax (714) 544-5155.
$40.00 (plus $5.00 shipping and handling;
audiocassettes available separately for $10.00
each and $2.00 shipping and handling.)
Training Programs
Adoptions
Together
10230 New Hampshire Avenue, Suite 200
Silver Spring, MD 20903
(301) 439-2900
Program Title: "Transracial Adoption"
Association
of Black Social Workers
Child Adoption, Counseling and Referral Service
8436 West McNichols
Detroit, Michigan 48221
Phone: (313) 862-6700
Program Title: "If Transracial Parenting Happens,
How White Parents and the African-American
Community Can Work Together"
Black Adoption Services/Three Rivers Adoption
Council
307 Fourth Ave., Ste. 710
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 471-8722
Contact: Program Director
Program Title: "Promoting Racial Self-Esteem
in Black Children Who Are Transracially Adopted"
Children's
Home Society of Washington
Adoption Resource Center
3300 NE 65th Street
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 695-3200
Contact: Training Director
Program Titles: "Interracial Adoption;" "Cross-Cultural
Adoption"
Family Resources
1521 Foxhollow Road
Greensboro, NC 27410
(919) 852-5357
Contacts: Bernard and Joan McNamara, Executive
and Associate Directors
Program Title: Transracial Adoption
Perspectives
Press
P.O. Box 90318
Indianapolis, IN 46290-0318
(317) 872-3055
Contact: Patricia Irwin Johnston, Publisher
and Educator
Program Titles: "Embracing Difference"; "Opening
Ourselves to New Issues"
Southern Connecticut State University Department
of Counseling and School Psychology
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515
(203) 392-5910
Contact: Dr. Nancy Janus, Professor
Program Title: "Adoption Issues Institute"
Linda Yellin and Associates
27600 Farmington Road, Suite 107
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(810) 489-9570
Contact: Linda Yellin, Director
Program Title: "Education, Information, and
Support for Families Who Adopt Children of
a Different Religion or Ethnic Group"
Footnotes
1
Schreiber, p. 2. 2 Elliott, p.
8. 3 Elliott, p. 8. 4 Melina, 1988, p. 2. 5 Elliott, p. 8. 6 Thorp, p. 36. 7 Van Gulden,
F.A.C.E Conference Workshop, 1992. 8 Melina, 1988,
pp. 3-4. 9 Pederson,
p. 42. 10 Brooks, p. 10. 11 Flango and Flango, p. 317.
This material
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Gateway (formerly the National Adoption Information
Clearinghouse).
Internet links added by Adoptions.com
2000 - 2003. Updated 2008
For more information, contact the Child Welfare
Information Gateway (formerly the National
Adoption Information Clearinghouse) at info@childwelfare.gov.
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provides information of interest and value to the Adoption Community. The Company
does not attest to the accuracy of this information although every effort is made
to remove inaccurate, misleading or fradulent items. The Company assumes no liability
for damages suffered as a result of inaccuracies found on this site. Birthparents
who choose to access the family profiles listed on Adoption Online.com do so at
their own risk. By using this website you have agreed to the terms
and conditions of this website and agree to hold The Company harmless for
any damages that may result from contact with, or the selection of adoptive parents,
adoption agencies, attorneys and other adoption professionals that is related
to the use of this website.
AdoptionOnline.com is
part of the Adoptions.com family of
websites which include: AdoptionProfessionals.com,
(searchable directory of Adoption Agencies, Adoption Attornys, Social Workers
and others who provide Domestic Adoption, International Adoption, Birthparent
and Homestudy services.) AdoptionBooks.com,(a
full service bookstore featuring Basic Adoption Books, Books for Children,
and other adoption related books and publications for Adoption Professionals
and those just starting out.) AdoptionEvents.com (A
FREE online calendar where adoption related groups can post their meetings,
seminars and classes.)
