Every year, 49,640 babies are born to Black teenagers, and 85,045 babies are born into Black families facing extreme poverty. Many of these children are placed in foster care, waiting to be adopted.
We should really discuss adoption more – adoption practices are actually VERY Black!
Predating enslavement, multiple West African cultures co-raised children within their communities – a practice that continues today in many of our families. “It takes a village to raise a child,” goes the saying.
“Chosen family” is another practice stemming from when enslaved Africans, separated from their families, would adopt a new family for survival purposes. Fun fact: Harriet Tubman adopted a daughter!
When unplanned pregnancies occur, we’re taught to blame the parents instead of America’s systemic wealth and resource gaps. Even worse? Black children battle MAJOR racism within the foster care system.
In 2017, 440,000 children were in America’s foster care system, and nearly 25% were Black. But Black children are the least-often adopted, and dark-skinned Black children were the most likely to spend years in foster care!
Since adoption and chosen families are a Black tradition, what can we do?
Today, organizations like Black Adoption Matters strive to get Black children adopted, especially by Black families! They provide resources like their 7 Steps To Adoption Plan.
If you’re thinking about expanding your family, consider adopting – Black futures depend on it!