Racial Identity Issues for Black Children in Foster Care

Abstract

Teaching a child strategies to deal with racism, and the negative feelings about being Black that racism incurs, is very helpful. In a growing number of court cases, white foster families are seeking to adopt Black children whom they have fostered since infancy. This chapter focuses on the situation of Black children growing up in foster care with white families. It examines factors influencing racial identity for these children, and presents a case illustration. Suggestions for practice with transracial foster families and Black children in care are provided. In fact, some white foster parents report that Black toddlers reared only around whites express alarm and signs of insecurity when left in a room with unfamiliar Blacks. Studies of Black parenting have revealed the functional value of racial socialization in preparing Black children to survive life in a race-conscious and often racist-oriented society.