In Their Own Voices: Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories

by Rita J. Simon, Rhonda M. Roorda

Nearly forty years after researchers first sought to determine the effects, if any, on children adopted by families whose racial or ethnic background differed from their own, the debate over transracial adoption continues. In this collection of interviews conducted with black and biracial young adults who were adopted by white parents, the authors present the personal stories of two dozen individuals who hail from a wide range of religious, economic, political, and professional backgrounds. How does the experience affect their racial and social identities, their choice of friends and marital partners, and their lifestyles? In addition to interviews, the book includes overviews of both the history and current legal status of transracial adoption.

Genres: Adoption, Nonfiction, Parenting, Race, Memoir, Biography, Family

410 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Rita J. Simon is a University Professor in the School of Public Affairs and the Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, D.C. She has published more than forty books and is currently the editor of Gender Issues.

Reviews

[Amanda Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a collection of twenty-four interviews (twelve men, twelve women) of biracial and black adults who were adopted by white parents. Unquestionably worth the read for anyone interested in the topic. While there are recurring themes in the responses of the interviewees, nothing is redundant: each individual adds another layer to the reader's understanding. I especially enjoyed reading those highly self-aware adoptees who were able to explain how their own personalities molded their experiences.

At times the interviewer's questions seem to lead to specific answers, more in an anticipatory fashion than a manipulative one. Still, it felt odd until one of the adoptees mentioned conversation that occurred "before taping." The interviewer really is anticipating responses based on prior knowledge. It's a subtle distinction but one I'm glad is clarified. Also noteworthy is a description on the back cover that this work is a "supplement" to empirical research contributed to the field of study by these authors. This is not intended to be a scholarly work in the same way; this is the humanizing element (and as such is perfect for my purpose as a reader). One thing I'm left wondering is how today's twenty- and thirty-year-old adoptees would respond to some of the social/racial issues, compared to the responses of these adoptees (who were born in the late 1960s-early 1970s and were interviewed in the 1990s).

My perspective was broadened by this book. I was given answers to questions I never would have thought to ask. I'm not only better informed but also feel personally enriched by the glimpse into these life stories.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was such a disappointment. In part, that's due to its age. Published in 2000, the authors conducted interviews with 24 participants about their experiences being adopted into a family of another race. The interviews were done between 1996-98, and the participants ranged in age from 22-31 (with one outlier at 57). So, the interviews were with people who largely came of age in the late-70s to mid-80s. We're not there yet, but we've certainly come a long way since then, and some of the issues raised didn't seem pertinent to 2012. However, you can't get away from the fact that I'm a white reader, so maybe the issues are all still there and I don't see them? It's hard to say.

My biggest quibble: "transracial" adoption evidently means to the authors "adoption of children of African-American descent into a white family." That is not, however, what transracial adoption means to me, so I was disappointed by the rather narrow view provided by this book.

Additionally, there was not a standard set of questions that the interviewers worked off of. While I understand that the nature of an interview is a conversation, I still would have appreciated some core questions that were asked of each participant. The questions themselves I found to be rather leading in some cases as well. It was definitely not an impartial collection of data.

What I did appreciate was the very real, very human insight into the experiences that these people had in being adopted into a family of another race. Some had more positive experiences than others, some made me more worried about our ability to parent a child of another race than others, and some made me feel more hopeful about that same ability. All in all I'm still glad I read it, but I will be looking for a more thorough and current overview of the topic.

[J & C · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are in a transracial family or thinking about becoming one through adoption, this is a MUST READ for you. Here is our review from a previous blog post:

We have read a great book called In Thier Own Voices by Simon and Rhoorda. It is a compilation of testimonies from transracially adopted children and has many statistics comparing these children with children raised by same race parents. Here are some of the findings in this book:

* The quality of parenting was more important than whether the black child had been inracially or transracially adopted
* Tranracial adoptive parents experience some challenges but all parents successfully met those challenges
* Transracial adoptees (TRAs) are more likely to be attached to their parents than same-race adoptees
* TRAs developed comparably strong senses of black identity
* 90% of the TRAs said it made little to no difference that their siblings were of a different racial background
* When asked who they would turn to with a serious personal problem, the TRAs were more likely to turn to their parents or siblings than birth children or white adopted children

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book comprises a couple dozen interviews with black people who were adopted by white families. The interviews center around the experience of growing up as a black person raised by white parents. They address a broad range of topics including self esteem, education systems, hair, religion, romance, and politics.

I picked up this book off the library shelf out of idle curiosity. The accounts are compelling though. There is a lot of honesty about difficult questions of community and identity and self image. I didn't really know anything about transracial adoption coming to this book, but it was well worth the read.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend and found it to be an excellent book. I gave this book four stars, but it's the first book I've ever read on adoption or transracial adoption, so it's possible that I'll move it up a star when I have other books to compare it to. The reason why I gave it four stars instead of five is because it is definitely speaking from and to the American perspective -- and in particular a black American perspective (all of the interviewees were black or mixed). This is particularly difficult because many of the factors affecting race relations in the US are unique to the US. Another thing some people may find difficult is the page count (480 pages, large format, with small font...it's a big book...). That being said it's a fascinating read.

The book seems in many ways to be a response to the position of the NABSW (National Association of Black Social Workers) that transracial adoption (and especially the adoption of black children by white families) is never in the interest of the child. That black children should only be placed with black families. That white families are unable to give a black child their cultural identity or prepare them to face racism in society. That in fact (and yes, this is a direct quote) transracial adoption is a "a hostile act against our community. It is a blatant form of race and cultural genocide."

The book addresses the fact that the research has generally not supported this stance, but points out that the one voice which has not been heard is the voice of actual transracial adoptees. The book is organized into three sections: a brief intro giving the basic background and research, an even briefer conclusion summing up the main points, and (the meat of the book) transcripts of interviews with 24 men and women who were adopted transracially. Some may find the length and format (interview transcripts without any comment or summary) to be difficult, but I felt it really let their voices come out clearly in a way that a curated or edited book never can.

Of course the responses of the interviewees were different, however I would say that these were generally accepted themes:
1. Same-race adoption is preferable to transracial adoption. Assuming two otherwise identical families, one black and one white, why not adopt the black child into the black family?
2. However transracial adoption into a stable loving home, regardless of race, is significantly preferable to the foster care system. There are many black children needing to be adopted, and not many black families stepping up to adopt, so don't stand in the way of giving these children a stable loving home.
3. [This was a common refrain of the transracial adoptees] Those who oppose transracial adoption need to focus less on opposing transracial adoption and more on promoting same-race adoption. If you want black children adopted into black homes then get more black families interested in adoption. Don't leave black children consigned to the foster care system.
4. Transracial adoption can work, but the adoptive parents need to recognize race. They can't be naive and think that race is not an issues. They should realize that every child needs to be raised differently, and that race plays a part in this. They should be aware of racism, prepare their child, and be prepared to stand up for them. They should try to get to know about the culture of the child, and introduce the child to their own culture. They should try to make sure that their children have role models of their own race or ethnicity. They should try to be multicultural in their lifestyle: live in a multicultural neighbourhood, send their children to a multicultural school, have friends from different races and ethnicities, etc.

This has become a long review, but let me just say that this is an excellent book. I would highly recommend it to anyone considering transracial adoption. I would also recommend it to people interested in race relations generally, as this is a very interesting corner of race relations in American life.

[Histteach24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories of the adoptees were very powerful. It was insightful from both the standpoint of being adopted as well as being biracial. I would strongly suggest this book to people looking to adopt or be foster parents, as well as educators and counselors who deal with mentoring children. I have been contemplating fostering children and this book opened my eyes to preparing to be a foster/adoptive parent.
My only concern from what little I know about psyc. studies was that the interviewer was not consistent in her questioning. I also thought she made statements that were leading or could teeter on bias.
I would be interested in further studies from the results:
What role did the gender of the child play? I felt the males and females had different experiences-does this align with the statements made that black males are viewed differently in society?
What impact did divorce/separation of adoptive parents have as those children seemed to have different teen years than their counterparts?
What feelings of "playing to sides", finding one's identity, or being teased are similar to biracial children regardless of being raised by biracial parents or being adopted?
I think there were other factors that played into experience besides just race. I do hope the book helps to reform the system and help educate both communities about how best to help the children.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Editorial Reviews:

"This book is the story of every person who has lived in an environment in which he or she didn't quite fit... Yet, while the stories in the book are universal, they are also deeply personal and incredibly touching. You cannot read this book without being changed." -- Lifelines "Extremely informative and emotionally compelling." -- Social Work in Health Care

In Their Own Voices sheds light on a very complex and controversial debate. The debate would be richer and wiser if those who seek to defend or condemn transracial adoption read this book first. It should be required reading for anyone who is thinking of adopting or has adopted a child from another race. -- Barbara Davidson, civil rights advocate and adoptive mother

No one has contributed more useful empirical research on interracial adoption than Professor Rita Simon and her associates. In Their Own Voices is an important supplement to that scholarly tradition that will further illuminate one of the most interesting corners of race relations in American life. The stories told in this collection are fascinating, poignant, enlightening, inspiring. They deserve a broad audience. -- Randall Kennedy, Harvard Law School

This book's suggestion that American families find it easier to adopt children from other countries than to adopt transracially within this country is saddening. This is particularly so when we see hundreds of black children moved from one foster home to another. Those of us who believe in transracial adoptions owe Ms. Simon and Ms. Roorda a continuing debt of gratitude. -- Former Senator Howard M. Metzenbaum, author of the Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994

This much needed study brings hard facts and personal experiences to bear on an important subject too often dominated by dogmas and arrogance. It is a breath of fresh air in the fetid atmosphere of racial politics. -- Thomas Sowell, Stanford University

[Sierra Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has value for transracial adoptive families or those considering transracial adoption. However, there are several things that make the book less effective now than it would have been when first published.

1. The book was published in 2000, with most of the interviews taking place in the late 90s. Most of the interviewees were born in the late 60s-early 80s. Adoption has changed somewhat since then. Open adoptions are far more common, as are interracial families as a whole.
2. Most of the interviewees fit into some fairly narrow categories. All except one were adopted into families in the northern part of the US. Most were adopted into Christian, and frequently conservative Christian, homes. It would have been helpful to have read a broader range of experiences.
3. Most of the interviewees were in their early to mid-20s. This puts the feelings of difference felt in teen years very near to their current experience. It would be nice to have had either or broader range of ages or to have had a follow up with these people as a newer book.

The book was fine and informative in many ways, but it left me feeling like it was incomplete given the scope of the interviews and the changes that have occurred in both adoption and the racial climate of the country in the past 20 years.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really engaging read, and highly recommended for anybody involved with transracial adoption. There is some brief material to introduce and summarize this book, but the majority is transcripts of interviews with adult transracial adoptees, reflecting on their experiences and struggles and family lives. Practically the whole book is people's personal stories, which made it very readable and compelling for me. The individuals in this book were interviewed as adults in the late 90s and had been adopted mostly in the 70s; it would be interesting to see a similar group of stories from people transracially adopted 10 or 20 years later. I don't know that their experiences of racism in America would be that much different but I would be interested to see if more white parents made different (better?) choices about what kinds of communities to raise their non-white children in. Anyway, a thought-provoking book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction of this book describes and reports on the major findings of a number of studies conducted on white families who adopted children with racial and ethnic backgrounds different than their own and summarizes the ongoing debate between those who support and those who oppose transracial adoption. This is followed by a collection of interviews of transracial adoptees describing their experiences. I thought this book offered an excellent and reasonably unbiased view of both the benefits and difficulties of living in a biracial family.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a really interesting book. It interviewed several transracial adoptees that were born in the early 70's. It was interesting to read their accounts. I would like to read an updated book with adoptees that were adopted in the 90's. I imagine that the stories will have changed in that time. By reading the book, I realized that I need to make a greater effort to expose my children to diversity.

[Lisa Leggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my go-to book throughout my adoption journey, which started 13 years ago. While it may be a little dated, it opened my eyes to things that as a Caucasian person, I would not have realized.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series of interviews with adoptees, they offer advice for adoptive parents and tell their stories. Excellent book!

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adults who were adopted transracially share their stories. VERY insightful and interesting. Highly recommend for families who choose to adopt transracially.

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on transracial adoption. I would highly recommend for anyone who is considering adopting transracially or who has the joy of having a transracial family!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a lot of other reviewers, I really wish there were a follow-up to this book that included more contemporary adoptee accounts. I know this book was based on a study conducted in the 90s, so that's easier said than done.

A lot may have changed in adoption since this book was written: all the adoptions are closed, there are many "color blind" families, and lots of 90s cultural references. On the other hand, though, lots of the book is still depressingly relevant: police brutality, segregated schools, and all-white suburbs are as much of an issue now as they were then.

When I first read the NABSW position statement on transracial adoption I momentarily freaked out. I wish I'd had this book on hand to read immediately after, because it gives a more well-rounded and nuanced perspective.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any person that is looking to transracially adopt a child or children should read this book- And that is not just international adoptions. This book looks at the many layers of what adoption means for the child and their identity formation. As a transracial adoptee I felt like I was reading about myself and felt more connected to people than I have ever before because I could finally relate to others.

[MayFlour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to adoptees! This book is a collection of interviews from adult adoptees. No real interpretations so be sure to read the words and then between the words.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for an adoptive parent. Important to hear unedited voices of adoptees.

[Katie Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a bit outdated now (interviews conducted in the late 1990s), but many of the principles gleaned are applicable now. It is always valuable to elevate the adoptees’ voices.

[Bridget Belyeu · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Their Own Voices is so important for anyone touched by transracial adoption- most specifically Black children in non-Black homes. It reads much like a textbook or research journal, so I did need to be in a different mindset to read it than reading other non-fiction books. While it is dated, the stories of adoptees are still very important and relevant to transracial families today.

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suggested this book for our clinical society's book club because I hoped it would prove a valuable resource for therapists, social workers and others who often encounter transracially adoptive families in their work.

The adoptees whose stories make up the bulk of the book each have had their own experiences with growing up black in a white family, and now have varying levels of insight into the effects of these experiences as they consider the benefits and challenges of their adoptions.

For me as a reader, it was disheartening to encounter so many stories that reflected low levels of insight into some lasting and negative effects of these adoptions. Several of the adoptees grew up to be psychologically alienated from other black people and seem to lay responsibility for that at the feet of black culture, rather than white culture's efforts to maintain segregation and their white adoptive families' failure to incorporate positive connectedness to other African Americans.

I felt disappointed in the writing itself on a couple of grounds: first, the editing--as important as it is to use people's own words in sharing their stories, there was a lot of clunky material that didn't add much to the reader's understanding and that could have been edited for brevity if not clarity. Secondly, I felt like the interviewer picked and chose what to challenge or dig deeper into, and not in a way that I liked. Participants making statements that presume shared interpretations of black people being lazy, dirty, etc. go unchallenged and unquestioned by the interviewer, leaving readers wondering how they fail to notice this level of disconnect in their daily lives.

In summary, a good book for adoptive parents, therapists, etc. to read if they need lots of examples of how transracial adoptees experienced growing up in white families during the 70's and 80's, but not as helpful as it could have been with some editing, some commentary on the interviews, and more consistency in approaching the interviews with participants.

[Eileen Souza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a study of children who have been adopted transracially. It provided statistical details on the children's adjustment throughout their childhood, as well as interviews with a variety of boys and girls who grew up in a transracial family.

The book clearly stated the perspectives of those who are opposed to transracial as well as those who accept white people adopting children of other races, without making a determination on which side of the fence was "right".

Though I found the interviews especially intriguing, after about 20 of them, it got fairly redundant. Also, almost all of the girls struggled with their identity "racially" in high school and none of the boys did - newsflash, all girls struggle with their identity in high school - it's not a racial issue.

I felt that it was worth reading, and I will read it again, but it isn't a book that I feel like I need to read end to end.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being my first book I have read on the topic of transracial adoption, I thought that In Their Own Voices was quiet insightful. In Their Own Voices however was published in the year 2000, and I would be interested to see if the same age group was interviewed today, if 15 years of change in society would make a difference in their responses. I was happy to read that the majority of the men and women had a positive experience being adopted into a transracial family and that they felt safe, loved, and cared for. I liked how the book was set up in a question/answer interview format. The book is quiet lengthy, and it is not meant to be a quick read, that is why I read it off and on over the past year. I feel like as a person interested in adoption, that this was a wonderful book for me to read. I also appreciated the way the people being interviewed were able to be so open and honest with their answers.

[Vanessa Hatcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started by completely freaking me out by stating all the opposition to trans-racial adoptions and their reasons for opposing it--and there is quite a bit out there. Which scared to me death and made me wonder why we had made this decision to adopt from Ethiopia. Then if followed that up by going over all the statistics and support for trans-racial adoptions. This made me feel a little better. Following all this were interviews of people who were adopted into trans-racial families. The stories all really started to sound the same after a while. It was interesting to see what things they remarked about their childhoods--what things made them feel more confident about their peculiar situation. At the same time, it felt a little dated since I think the general stigma and opinion about adoption has changed quite a bit over the last 20 years.

[Dayspring · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up just sort of skimming this one. I've read Rita Simon's follow up to this book, "In Their Parent's Voices," which was great. This book is the transcripts from Simon's interviews with adult transracial adoptees, discussing their experiences and perspectives. The follow up book is interviews with these same adoptees parents. Both books are good reads for anyone interested in learning more about the firsthand experiences of transracial adoptive families. However, the format can get a little old, as there is no commentary, just the actual interview transcripts. I may go back and read this one again later, but for now skimming was enough to get a feel for the stories.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book I find myself actually more confused about race than ever. I personally don't see race, but I do find one's heritage very important, no matter your color. No matter if the child I adopt is white, black, international, domestic, or even purple with red spots, I would make it a priority to help my child become acquainted and proud of his heritage while seeing that God made all of us equally able to be whomever we want to be. However, maybe there is something I'm missing, so perhaps transracial adoption is not something that should really be a choice for me after all.

[Christina Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading after 8 years of experience in transracial adoption.