Leora Neal

In 1972, the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) took an influential stance against transracial adoption, arguing that African-American children needed to grow up within their own culture among members of their own race. In the following viewpoint, Leora Neal clarifies this policy. Black children need black parents to learn to deal effectively with racism and to develop a healthy cultural identity and self-esteem, the NABSW maintains. Moreover, plenty of blacks wish to adopt, Neal points out—but the misguided policies of many child care agencies create barriers for these prospective parents. These barriers must be abolished, and transracial adoption should occur only when all efforts to find same-race parents fail, she concludes. Neal directs the New York chapter of the Association of Black Social Workers Child Adoption, Counseling and Referral Service.

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