RE: race matching and child welfare

["Ken Little" <ken-little@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Although not well versed in this area, I believe that there is a growing
body of research relative to foster placements and adoptions that will help
to inform this discussion.

There is apparently some fairly abundant evidence to suggest/support
race/ethnic/cultural matching in the areas of foster care and adoption.
This seems pretty intuitive as people are irrevocably tied to their
culture-of-origin.  Although this may be more relevant for young males
coming from patriarchal societies/groups (given the strong
interest/awareness of male lineage within these groups); there is no strong
reason to suspect that females are substantially less connected to their
originating culture.

Primate research may inform this aspect of the discussion and is well worth
the read.  Particular attention may be directed at the research
comparing/contrasting bonobos and chimpanzees; bonobos being matriarchally
organized and chimpanzees being patriarchally organized.  (The two
species/groups are geographically and genetically separated by a river!).
Richard Wrangham, Dale Peterson, and Craig Stanford are some of the
worthwhile investigators working in this area.

At any rate, if true, there should be increased comfort and feelings of
positive association with effective racial/cultural/ethnic matching.
Anecdotally, we can observe inner city clustering for support of this
hypothesis.  Most urban areas seem to have enclaves of cultural/ethnic
similarity (Hence the "tossed salad" metaphor as opposed to the "melting
pot" metaphor.)

On the other hand, there is very powerful potential in a good working
relationship regardless of race.

Illegal or not, an excellent and valuable question to raise!

Thanks,

Kenneth H. Little, MA
Mad River Behavioral Health
& DNTR.Com!
PO Box 190, Campton, NH 03223  USA
603-726-7400
www.hyper-kid.com
www.dntr.com
www.ski93.net
 
 


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-CHILD-MALTREATMENT-RESEARCH-L@xxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:owner-CHILD-MALTREATMENT-RESEARCH-L@xxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
> Donna Mullins
> Sent: Friday, November 21, 2003 5:25 PM
> To: Child Maltreatment Researchers
> Subject: Re: race matching and child welfare
>
>
> It's illegal to consider race in making a placement except for the
> specific needs of a specific child.  That might actually be a violation
> of the law.
>
> >>> bill_higginsus@xxxxxxxxx 11/21/03 17:02 PM >>>
> We are running a training for new workers.  Someone
> asked about matching the race of the child with the
> race of the worker.  Is there any research on this
> topic?  Does it seem to make a difference?
>
> Bill Higgins
>
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