Ethnic-Racial Socialization in Transracially Adoptive Families: Foundational Review and Educational Implications

Abstract

While all families are responsible for the ethnic-racial socialization of their children, this process represents a nuanced undertaking for parents who have adopted transracially. Following the model of change (Mace, 1981), this paper first presents a review of the socialization and transracial adoption literature with a special focus on intrinsic and extrinsic factors shaping how children are socialized, followed by a set of practical strategies for adoptive parents and practitioners to use with the goal of empowering parents to take on the task of socialization confidently and effectively. Methodological considerations relevant for scholars studying ethnic-racial socialization are also included.