Adoption is a social phenomenon that spans centuries, cultures, and nations. It is the focal point of many policies, laws, and public attitudes. In the United States, adoption legislation and practices change and reflect society's evolving perspectives. Interracial adoption, once generally accepted and promoted during the Civil Rights Movement, now faces intense debate among social service professionals and greater society. Despite several arguments against interracial adoption, there exist even more compelling reasons for individuals and civilizations to support and encourage this practice. .

             Children without permanent families and homes desperately need and deserve love and stability. It seems reasonable to state that society concurs with this statement. Since the procurement of an affectionate and stable environment for children is the principal objective of adoption, it appears the racial composition of a prospective family is of lesser concern. In other words, the races of adopted children and their respective parents pale significantly in light of a more pressing issue--children's fundamental needs of and rights to love and constancy. A plain and logical observation, this forms the foundation from which proponents espouse cross-racial adoption. .

             Consider the alternative viewpoint. There is a growing movement for racial compatibility within adoptive families. Opponents of interracial adoption claim that placing minorities within majority families results in cultural genocide of the former (Kennedy 1). This argument overlooks the irrevocable psychological damage minorities experience while waiting for racially similar adoptive parents. The demand for racial compatibility considerably delays or even prevents placement. Said differently, by strictly adhering to a policy of racial congruency, minority children may undergo protracted experiences within the foster care system and/or may never be adopted.