Commentary: cultural stereotypes can and do die: it's time to move on with transracial adoption.
This commentary argues that the Multiethnic Placement Act, designed to combat common cultural stereotypes, provides clear guidance to state child welfare agencies and the mental health professionals that serve them, eliminating any regular consideration of race in the foster and adoptive placement of children. Given recent enforcement action by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, those who ignore this guidance act at peril of subjecting state agencies to the significant financial penalties mandated for any violation of the law.
Bartholet
Elizabeth
E
Harvard Law School, 1575 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138. ebarthol@law.harvard.edu
D000300:Adoption / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001741:Black or African American; D006801:Humans; D044469:Racial Groups; D013240:Stereotyping; D014481:United States; D044465:White People