White Parents, Black Children looks at the difficult issue of race in transracial adoptions—particularly the adoption by white parents of children from different racial and ethnic groups. Despite the long history of troubled and fragile race relations in the United States, some people believe the United States may be entering a post-racial state where race no longer matters, citing evidence like the increasing number of transracial adoptions to make this point. However, White Parents, Black Children argues that racism remains a factor for many children of transracial adoptions. Black children raised in white homes are not exempt from racism, and white parents are often naive about the experiences their children encounter. This book aims to bring to light racial issues that are often difficult for families to talk about, focusing on the racial socialization white parents provide for their transracially adopted children about what it means to be black in contemporary American society. Blending the stories of adoptees and their parents with extensive research, the authors discuss trends in transracial adoptions, challenge the concept of 'colorblind' America, and offer suggestions to help adoptees develop a healthy sense of self.

"In White Parents, Black Children: Experiencing Transracial Adoption, Smith, Jacobson and Juárez examine the experience of transracial adoption through an analysis of the stories of white transracial adoptive parents and adult black transracial adoptees. These narratives serve as a powerful reminder that despite our best intentions to live in a colorblind or postracial world, race still matters. The voices of the parents and adult adoptees attest to the power and significance of race such that 'love is not enough.'The authors uncover several instances where parents were unaware of how their white privilege shaped transracial parenting. . . .While there is a clear and pressing need for greater levels of parental training for transracial adoptive parents so that their black children do not grow up thinking that they are white, many parents are inadequately prepared for the road ahead. The authors conclude with a cautioning statement about the inherent responsibilities involved in the “social experiment” of transracial adoption. . . .As greater numbers of White parents look to adopt Black children both domestically and internationally, the book will surely serve as a valuable resource for parents to help them understand that when forming a family across the color line, love is not enough." - Social Forces

"Love is not enough if you are a white parent of an adopted black child. That’s the premise behind Wichita State University assistant professor Darron T. Smith’s recently published book White Parents, Black Children: Experiencing Transracial Adoption. White Parents, Black Children examines issues of race and whether white adopting parents can teach their children how to cope with racial discrimination. 'The research literature is clear,' said Smith, 'that when black children grow up in predominately white communities they do unfortunately encounter the sting of racial marginalization.' 'It’s never a question of love,” said Smith. 'The issue is, can white parents sufficiently humble themselves and do better socially and culturally for their adopted children?' Smith, whose research area is in minority health, said that in White Parents, Black Children he hopes to challenge the concept of a 'colorblind' America and offer suggestions to help adoptees develop a healthy sense of self." - Newswise.com