Racial differences in adoption expectations

Abstract

Whereas children of color are overrepresented among adopted children, parents of color are underrepresented among adoptive parents. Past research has considered socioeconomic inequalities and discrimination as explanations for these trends. However, limited research has explored individuals’ adoption expectations. Using data from a nationally representative sample of newly married couples married in 2013–2015, we estimated regression models predicting adoption expectations (n = 2,541 respondents) and reasons for not expecting to adopt (n = 1,537 respondents) by race. We found that, after accounting for sociodemographic characteristics, Black respondents were marginally more likely than White respondents to expect to adopt through any means, and Black and Multiracial respondents were significantly more likely than White respondents to expect to adopt through foster care. We also found several significant racial differences in why people reported not expecting to adopt. Although adoption fees have been cited as a major reason for the underrepresentation of Black adoptive parents, Black respondents were least likely to report expense as a reason for not expecting to adopt. Our findings suggest that people in various racial groups interact with adoption differently and current scholarship does not have a firm grasp on non-White perspectives. Our findings further suggest that people of color are not underrepresented among adoptive parents because of their own expectations, supporting theories that inequality and discrimination may explain the underrepresentation.