Forensic and policy implications of the transracial adoption debate.
The adoption of black children by white families continues to garner significant attention from legislatures, the media, and scholars in many disciplines. Still, forensic psychiatrists have said little about this form of transracial adoption, and they seem willing to allow other disciplines to map out singlehandedly the public policy in this area. This policy is expected to affect an estimated 175,000 black children nationally who live in some form of out-of-home placement. Forensic psychiatrists should increase their understanding of and involvement in the debate over this special form of adoption. This article highlights several principles that must be better understood if forensic psychiatrists are to participate in the debate with clarity and understanding.
Griffith
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Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven 06519, USA.
D000300:Adoption / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D001741:Black or African American / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002655:Child Custody / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D011640:Public Policy; D011822:Race Relations; D044465:White People / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology