Through pre-adoption education programs, cultural competency amongst white TRA parents can be achieved, allowing TRA parents to better understand the importance of racial and cultural socialization in identity development. Elizabeth Vonk and Richard Massatti conducted a multi-variable analysis to quantify the effects financial status, age, number of children, and adoption education programs on cultural competence (Vonk and Massatti 221). The study found that there was a positive correlation of cultural competence when there were post-adoption interactions with adoption counselors, when the parents of TRA did not have biological children, and when families maintained an annual income of at least $75,000. Yet, there was no correlation between …show more content…
Although advocates of the color-blind approach believe a family’s love is sufficient in transracial adoption American society is not oblivious the construct of race (Wagner 5). This research can undeniably conclude that developing cultural competence in white TRA parents is possible with education programs. Yet, due to the lack of research, the effects of pre-adoption cultural competence practices on racial and cultural socialization for African American transracial adoptees in American society are unclear. Elizabeth Vonk remains a leading researcher on transracial adoption; however, due to the steady growth of transracial adoptions since the MEPA Act, more academics must pursue research in this field. More specifically, longitudinal studies of transracial adoptees will permit sociologist to record the effects of culturally competent parents on identity development. Nevertheless, mandated cultural competency programs are prohibited by the MEPA act, disallowing discrimination based on race and culture (Bradley and Hawkins-Leon 437). Therefore, parents have the sole responsibility of obtaining cultural competency training offered by adoption agencies. Pact Adoption, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to development of a positive racial identity amongst transracial adoptees of color. Pact Adoption offers countless resources for sociologist professionals, prospective adoptive parents, current adoptive parents, and adoptees. Resources such as workshops, connect groups, camps, and clubs, all seek to underline the importance of cultural competence in the transracial adoption of African Americans (“Overview and Mission”). Adoptive parents must remain aware of the needs of their children and desire to see race through the eyes of their child. Private organization and alliances such as Pact Adoption are easily available to all white