Musings on Celebrity Adoption "Trends"

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If you've been following any magazines, online websites, blogs and entertainment news programs you have likely heard about the adoption trend sweeping Hollywood. From Brad and Angelina and Madonna, to new members in the adoption club, Sandra Bullock and Charlize Theron, there is quite the hype about international (specifically transracial) adoption.

But why is it always referred to as a "trend"?

trend:

1. The general direction in which something tends to move.
2. A general tendency or inclination
3. Current style; vogue: the latest trend in fashion.

In 2010, according to the Adoption Council of Canada (http://www.adoption.ca/adoption-news?news_id=56) 1,946 Canadians adopted children internationally, down from the 2,122 in 2009. Although we do not collect statistics on how many of those placements were transracial, I am willing to guess, majority of them were. With numbers like this, is it still considered a trend?

So why is it that every time someone from the silver screen adopts a child is it mentioned synonymously with 'trend' making it sound like he or she just picked up the latest Gucci accessory?

Perhaps having celebrities speak openly (and positively) about adoption has a normalizing effect for those in society who still view it as a "second choice" or an undesirable alternative to giving birth to a child. Maybe it gives us the opportunity to see families that don't look the same and challenges our subconscious belief that in order to be a family you have to match. Better yet, maybe it shows other adopted children that their families are as normal/common as anyone else’s. For all these reasons, and more, I encourage the media to keep talking about adoption...but, hope that they stop calling it a trend. If not, they can make it sound like these children are commodities. They make it sound like in order to keep your name on the lips of the media you have to do something attention seeking, like adopt a child. This is certainly not the case.

If I had a wish (read: expectation) for all those new and prospective families in Hollywood that have chosen to transracially adopt domestically or internationally, is that they recognize, understand and appreciate the journey that lies ahead. Like parents that have worked with Blend Education & Training who have participated in various learning opportunities over the years to help them prepare for the transition of becoming a multiracial family, so too should our Hollywood counterparts. The issues, challenges and struggles are the same, as are the blessings, successes and achievements. They should be afforded the opportunity to expand their understanding of transracial parenting in order to prepare and support their child's development.

At the end of the day, adoption is many things: it is the goal to ensure that children are placed with families that love and support them; it is a beautiful way to create or expand a family; and it is a testament that everyone deserves a home (be it a 12.5 million dollar mansion or a 2-bedroom condo).

Is it a trend? I’ll let you decide.

Learning that inspires change

Workshop for Professionals

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Calling all adoption and foster care professionals!

Join us for a full day session designed to assist you in the assessment of prospective transracial families, using an integrated anti-oppressive framework. 

The success of transracial placements relies on an applicant's commitment to create meaningful connections to a child's racial and cultural identity. It also depends on the expertise of practitioners during the assessment and evaluation process. 

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Identify key issues affecting transracial families and implications for placement decisions
• Explore concepts of privilege and social location and how they impact service delivery
• Compile an inventory of characteristics to select potential applicants
• Design a working list of questions to guide your assessments

Saturday November 17th, 2012

Time: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Location: Halton Multicultural Council, 1092 Speers Rd. Oakville, ON

$380.00 - includes light morning refreshments, materials, and applicable taxes. 
 

Learning that inspires change

2011 Round Up

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Thank you!

With another year coming to an end, we wanted to reflect on the great year we’ve had, and say thank you for your continued support and encouragement.

Here are some of our most noteworthy accomplishments from 2011:

Transracial Adoption sessions

This year we were excited to hold five sessions of our most popular program for transracial adoptive families.  Over 22 participants from across the Greater Toronto Area came together for a motivating learning experience about transracial adoption.

SKYPE: The virtual way to connect (and get connected)

To try something a bit different, we started offering the Transracial Parenting Initiative sessions via SKYPE. Families from across Canada took advantage of this unique learning opportunity and have spread the word. We look forward to offering you more opportunities to get the information you need, when and where you need it most. If you are interested in participating in a SKYPE session, please contact us!

Transracial Placements: Practice issues for professionals

It was time to offer support to the practitioners who change the lives of children in care.  As a result, we created a 2-day training program to aid in the assessment of prospective families. This session was piloted with 60 staff in Halifax, and 17 staff from Simcoe Children’s Aid Society. Overall the feedback was positive and participants felt more empowered and informed to make the right choices. We are pleased to support these agencies’ commitment to exploring, considering and placing children transracially.

Spreading our wings, and our services!

Special thanks to the Halton District School Board, for contracting us to develop the Newcomer Engagement Strategy research project and Equity Resource Guide for Administrators document.

Facebook & Twitter

If you aren't following us on Facebook or Twitter - you're missing out. Stay up to date with upcoming training dates, news and stories that promote learning and raise awareness. Use it as a channel to give us feedback - is there something you need? Let us know, maybe we can help!

2012 Training Calendar

A great time to plan ahead! The dates for our upcoming transracial adoption workshops are:

• February 24 & 25
• May 25 & 26
• October 26 & 27

Register online to reserve your spot today!

We look forward to the possibilities and opportunities 2012 will bring!

Transracial Adoption 2012 Learning Calendar

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Finally, a chance to plan ahead.

Reserve your spot today!

Register for one of three 2012 Transracial Parenting Initiative: Support for Foster & Adoptive Parents sessions today. 

2012 Learning Calendar 

• May 26, 2012
• October 27, 2012

Upcoming Events

• Transracial Adoption Workshop for Professionals - June 9, 2012

Remember: You can take our core training program via Skype. Contact us for details!

Find out if our program qualifies as an eligible claim with your insurance provider.

Learning that inspires change.