THE ADOPTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN BY WHITES - A RENEWED CONFLICT

During the turbulent 1960s and the civil-rights movement, African Amer icans called for the reexamination of major institutional policies. On e of the policy changes demanded by African American social workers wa s the cessation of Whites adopting African American children. The view of the fledgling Association of Black Social Workers was that such Pr actices would result in cultural genocide. This view influenced policy as family-court judges and child advocates pursued same-race adoption with respect to African American children. Some child advocates calle d the policy of excluding Whites from adopting African American childr en imprudent and discriminatory, and in the 1980s, judges began to rul e in favor of White parents who wanted to adopt Black children. Legisl ation was introduced and signed into law that makes it illegal for sta tes or agencies receiving federal funding to consider race in the adop tion of children. This shift in policy has enraged many African Americ an social workers and resulted in major disagreements between them and individuals who advocate for transracial adoptions. The author explor es the arguments of each side and suggests policy recommendations.