First, the results of my research
thus far support the view that the placement of Indian children
in white homes appears to represent a low level of risk for the
children with respect to safeguarding their physical and emotional
well-being. The repeated interviews with the adoptive parents left
the interviewers with the strong impression that the children were,
by and large, very secure and obviously feeling loved and wanted
in their adoptive homes. Even if the adjustment of the children
proves to be somewhat more problematic as they get older—particularly
during their adolescence when the factor of racial differences may
loom larger—the overall prospect for their futures can be
termed as “guardedly optimistic.” When one contrasts
the relative security of their lives with the horrendous growing
up experiences endured by their mothers—well documented in
the summaries Arnold Lyslo received from agencies referring the
children—one has to take the position that adoption has saved
many of these children from lives of utter ruination. In this sense,
the research offers supporting evidence for the continuation and
expansion of these adoptions. . . .
Given that the children appear to be doing well in their adoptive
homes, that the parents are highly satisfied with what they have
consummated, that the appeal of Indian adoptions to couples applying
to agencies is increasing, and that considerable monies are saved,
is there any doubt that the transracial adoption of Indian children
ought to be encouraged? The answer is yes–this is a
doubt. . . .
It seems clear that the fate of most Indian children is tied to
the struggle of Indian people in the United States for survival
and social justice. Their ultimate salvation rests upon the success
of that struggle. Whether adoption by white parents of the children
who are in the most extreme jeopardy in the current period—such
as the objects of our study—can be tolerated by Indian organizations
is a moot question. It is my belief that only the Indian people
have the right to determine whether their children can be placed
in white homes. Reading a report such as this one, Indian leaders
may decide that some children may have to be saved through adoption
even though the symbolic significance of such placements is painful
for a proud people to bear. On the other hand, even with the benign
outcomes reported here, it may be that Indian leaders would rather
see their children share the fate of their fellow Indians than lose
them in the white world. It is for the Indian people to decide.
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