In modern society, the perception of identifying and assigning minority status to people of different color still exists. According to the research article “A quest for identity and connection” by Laurie Meyers (2020), the writer quoted a statement by Derrick Paladino that talks about the existence of the ‘one-drop-rule’ in individuals’ minds. This paper will summarize the concept of multiracial, transracial adoption as elaborated in the research article.
Rationale
Based on the findings of the study, the researcher wanted to explore the issues associated with multiracial in the community. Furthermore, the study aimed at exposing the challenges individuals of a mixed-race face in society (Meyers, 2020). In addition, the article focused on the role of counselors in promoting coexistence amongst people of different colors. The work intended to explore challenges faced by adopted transracial children.
Methods
The subject of the research work was how the one-drop rule dominated society and transracial adoption. This is evident in Paladino recalls “I asked God if I could be white like my dad [who was Italian American] when I woke up in the morning” (Meyers, 2020, p. 1). The data were collected via oral histories where victims of the circumstance narrated their experiences. Participants were Paladino, Hipolito-Delgado, Melody, and Amanda Baden, who are all members of the American Counselling Association (ACA). The researcher reached out to the council (ACA) group to have their opinions. The measurement tools used in the study include interviews and surveys.
Results
Some of the findings include favoritism depending on skin color, “I also always felt like my grandfather favored my brother because he had light skin,” based on the Paladino observation (Meyers, 2020, p. 1). Again, the people with biracial backgrounds have difficulty belonging to either of the cultures. Additionally, Hipolito-Delgado recommended that multicultural individuals should focus on understanding their history and remain passive to the worldview of media. Paldino suggested ways that mixed-race population can explore their identities like using bibliotherapy, ecomap, providing psychoeducation, and introducing a “Bill of Rights for Racially Mixed People.”
In addition, the researchers identified the issues associated with transracial adoption, like failure to connect the adoptee to their birth culture. The paper does not have a conclusion; therefore, its purpose is to induce the search into issues related to biracial to initiate further investigations.
Discussion
The research shows that stereotyping people based on their color is common in society and within families having biracial persons. In relation to the past studies, the experimental evidence suggests ways by which individuals adopting children of a different race can improve their wellbeing (Ferrari et al., 2017). According to the statement by Bade, she proposed that adoptive parents should address the racial factor so that the kids grow knowing how to handle the discrimination from other people. Moreover, the authors mentioned the importance of embracing the cultural perspective of marriage partners. Findings from Melody state that multiracial couples find it challenging to accommodate the practices of one another’s background understanding of collectivism.
Critical Thinking
According to the research, categorizing individuals based on their color affects their consciousness leading to anxiety. The notion of mixed-race can cause hostility amongst family members due to bias (Reid Marks et al., 2020). The study identifies possible ways to handle the biracial issues; thus, affected individuals can understand the perception and learn to live with it. In addition, it enlightens adoptive parents on how they can reduce the impact on the adoptee. Concerning the local perspective, the study depicts the societal construction that identifies people based on their skin pigmentation and ethnic group. Understanding and connecting with cultural backgrounds can enable the community to fight the vices around skin color.
References
Ferrari, L., Vezzali, L., & Rosnati, R. (2017). The role of adoptive parents’ intergroup contact in fostering the wellbeing of adoptees: The “extended intragroup contact effect.” International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 59, 43-52. Web.
Meyers, L. (2020). A quest for identity and connection. Counseling Today. Web.
Reid Marks, L., Thurston, I. B., Kamody, R. C., & Schaeffer-Smith, M. (2020). The role of multiracial identity integration in the relation between racial discrimination and depression in multiracial young adults. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 51(4), 317. Web.