Oasis Haven provides tips for strengthening trans-racial families in South Africa
The Robin Hills-based orphanage unpacks how trans-racial families can embrace their unique family setup.
Although more than 80% of children who get adopted from Oasis Haven, a registered Child and Youth Care Centre in Gauteng, become part of a trans-racial family many still encounter racism, whether subtle or overt.
This is according to the managing director of Oasis Haven Beverley Beukes who outlined how trans-racial families could be better strengthened in South Africa. She also provided tips for trans-racial families on how to overcome some of the challenges and embrace their unique family setup.
“It’s important to be aware of this reality, particularly when it comes to transracial adoptions,” said Beukes.
“Adopted children will face many challenges as they strive to find their place in the world. We’ve seen many successful trans-racial adoptions of children who have been in our care, and our experience, while it isn’t always an easy journey, parenting never is.”
Beukes and a social worker at Oasis Haven Simone Oketch suggested that it was not enough to fight against racism directed only at one’s own family members’ ethnic backgrounds – trans-racial families must demonstrate love, respect, and acceptance for all ethnicities, not just those represented in their family unit.
Beukes and Oketch said the two most important questions to ask were:
- How far are you willing to go to become a trans-racial family?
- Can you create an environment in which everyone in your family feels valued, loved, and accepted?
“It is important that parents strive to understand what it means to be a trans-racial family,” said Beukes and Oketch.
ALSO READ: Misconceptions about adoption that could be holding you back
They said too many parents entered into a trans-racial adoption to become a ‘white family with a black child’ but in reality, once they’ve trans-racially adopted, their family has changed forever, they are a new family with a shared ethnic identity.
“When it comes to your children, you need to understand that their experience all through life will be a vastly different experience from yours. No matter how close you are, you will never truly know how it feels to be them,” said Beukes.
Related Article:
