It is fascinating the whole debate between Muslim, Christian, and Judaism. How much does religion and race play a factor in adoption?
It is important to raise the child with knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of their religion and culture. It would be in the best interest of the child to teach and educate them on their background, but I believe in the rights of the adoptive parents. The adopting parents should have the ultimate say on how they raise their children, but when it comes to Islam-they do not want to compromise this as the Muslim identify is very important. There is always this controversy between the religion of the child and how it should be raised when the biological parent has little or no involvement..
As far as race, this is another interesting principle. When I was working as a Caseworker for New York City Foster Care(not a chosen job, but an internship for Social work school)- it was quite the eye opening experience. You do not truly know foster care until you work in it first hand- home visits, court hearings, removing children from their home on Christmas day, fighting so hard for a child named Joshua who just wanted to live with his mom, assessments of obscenely poor living conditions- it was enlightening and this is where my writing began. It inspired such a spark inside of me to seek justice for these children and make improvements in a flawed, US system.
The one race issue, which always seems to be present in one way or another, is between African American parents and white parents. The issue of race is actually what contributes to many children not being placed with families as many biological parents want their children raised by "their own kind"(as reported per parents I worked with). One incident that stays glued to my mind is the final adoption of an African american baby boy being adopted by a lovely white couple. The mother had been in recovery from drug addiction(many of my client cases) and she had been hesitant about her child being adopted by a "white couple." She expressed her concerns about how he would be dressing, what he would eat, and overall saying "it just wouldn't be the same." Last minute, she mentioned her Uncle who would be willing to take custody, which left us breaking the hearts of these lovely parents and starting over with this Uncle. The truth is that she would rather find a random uncle she never talks to than have her child being raised by white parents. Also, in New York foster care the child will always go to a family member first before being placed with a non-relative foster family.
This was just one case, but there were many sad realities surrounding color and race. Again, the children are the ones who suffer the consequences. Over 60 percent of the foster families in New York foster care are African-american perhaps because whites are shunned away from the process. Children might be sent to a foster parent who has ten kids in the home, neglects the children, and uses the check for a personal shopping spree. This is the reality that a child is removed from their parents home for neglect and they are sent into more neglect. And when you have Sue Smith raising her hand saying, "Pick me, Pick me"- a lovely candidate for the child- they don't give Sue Smith a fair chance because she is white.
Should race, religion,and culture have strong influence over adoption when there are limited options for these children to begin with? The cultural and religious values are key principles that shape a child into their self and being, but are we being too critical and judgemental of letting children adopt a new set of cultural values, customs, traditions in their lives? The biological parents have a say to what extent when it is the adoptive parents who are raising the child for life? Should race and religion take priority over a child's safety and well being?
Any thoughts on adoption, race, and religion?
It is important to raise the child with knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of their religion and culture. It would be in the best interest of the child to teach and educate them on their background, but I believe in the rights of the adoptive parents. The adopting parents should have the ultimate say on how they raise their children, but when it comes to Islam-they do not want to compromise this as the Muslim identify is very important. There is always this controversy between the religion of the child and how it should be raised when the biological parent has little or no involvement..
As far as race, this is another interesting principle. When I was working as a Caseworker for New York City Foster Care(not a chosen job, but an internship for Social work school)- it was quite the eye opening experience. You do not truly know foster care until you work in it first hand- home visits, court hearings, removing children from their home on Christmas day, fighting so hard for a child named Joshua who just wanted to live with his mom, assessments of obscenely poor living conditions- it was enlightening and this is where my writing began. It inspired such a spark inside of me to seek justice for these children and make improvements in a flawed, US system.
The one race issue, which always seems to be present in one way or another, is between African American parents and white parents. The issue of race is actually what contributes to many children not being placed with families as many biological parents want their children raised by "their own kind"(as reported per parents I worked with). One incident that stays glued to my mind is the final adoption of an African american baby boy being adopted by a lovely white couple. The mother had been in recovery from drug addiction(many of my client cases) and she had been hesitant about her child being adopted by a "white couple." She expressed her concerns about how he would be dressing, what he would eat, and overall saying "it just wouldn't be the same." Last minute, she mentioned her Uncle who would be willing to take custody, which left us breaking the hearts of these lovely parents and starting over with this Uncle. The truth is that she would rather find a random uncle she never talks to than have her child being raised by white parents. Also, in New York foster care the child will always go to a family member first before being placed with a non-relative foster family.
This was just one case, but there were many sad realities surrounding color and race. Again, the children are the ones who suffer the consequences. Over 60 percent of the foster families in New York foster care are African-american perhaps because whites are shunned away from the process. Children might be sent to a foster parent who has ten kids in the home, neglects the children, and uses the check for a personal shopping spree. This is the reality that a child is removed from their parents home for neglect and they are sent into more neglect. And when you have Sue Smith raising her hand saying, "Pick me, Pick me"- a lovely candidate for the child- they don't give Sue Smith a fair chance because she is white.
Should race, religion,and culture have strong influence over adoption when there are limited options for these children to begin with? The cultural and religious values are key principles that shape a child into their self and being, but are we being too critical and judgemental of letting children adopt a new set of cultural values, customs, traditions in their lives? The biological parents have a say to what extent when it is the adoptive parents who are raising the child for life? Should race and religion take priority over a child's safety and well being?
Any thoughts on adoption, race, and religion?
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