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Plea for ethnic minority adopters Plea for ethnic minority adopters
(about 1 hour later)
For every white child in care and awaiting adoption there are three black or Asian children, a charity has said. Three black or Asian children are vying for adoption into every home that has adopters of a similar background, a charity says.
Jean Smith, from NCH, told the BBC's Asian Network that more ethnic minority adopters were desperately needed. Jean Smith, from the NCH children's charity, told BBC Asian Network more ethnic minority adopters were needed.
She said placing children from ethnic minorities with white parents often left them without a sense of cultural and religious identity later in life.She said placing children from ethnic minorities with white parents often left them without a sense of cultural and religious identity later in life.
There are about 80,000 children in care in the UK, and about 10,000 of black, Asian or mixed heritage. There are about 80,000 children in care in the UK. About 10,000 of these are
black, Asian or of mixed heritage.
In the 1970s, many ethnic minority children were adopted into white families, but today the care system tries to make cultural and racial matches.In the 1970s, many ethnic minority children were adopted into white families, but today the care system tries to make cultural and racial matches.
However, because of the shortage of prospective parents from non-white communities, black and Asian children can wait a long time to be placed.However, because of the shortage of prospective parents from non-white communities, black and Asian children can wait a long time to be placed.
The Asian Network examined the issue in a special report called "Why Are We Waiting?", part of the BBC's Family Wanted series.The Asian Network examined the issue in a special report called "Why Are We Waiting?", part of the BBC's Family Wanted series.
Sense of selfSense of self
I had a period of time when I wanted to be white and every time I looked in the mirror it was a bit of a shock to me that I wasn't Nick PendryI had a period of time when I wanted to be white and every time I looked in the mirror it was a bit of a shock to me that I wasn't Nick Pendry
Nick Pendry, whose birth parents were both Indian, was adopted by white parents in south west London in the 1970s.Nick Pendry, whose birth parents were both Indian, was adopted by white parents in south west London in the 1970s.
He said so-called "transracial placements" were far from ideal.He said so-called "transracial placements" were far from ideal.
"My cultural and racial sense of self was missing and that can't be made up later in life," Mr Pendry said."My cultural and racial sense of self was missing and that can't be made up later in life," Mr Pendry said.
"I had a period of time when I wanted to be white and every time I looked in the mirror it was a bit of a shock to me that I wasn't."I had a period of time when I wanted to be white and every time I looked in the mirror it was a bit of a shock to me that I wasn't.
"There's something inherently unfair that white children in care have the option of having a cultural match more times than black and Asian children.""There's something inherently unfair that white children in care have the option of having a cultural match more times than black and Asian children."
David Holmes, from the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, said the policy of trying to match Asian children with Asian parents was about trying to "reinforce the child's background and ethnicity".David Holmes, from the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, said the policy of trying to match Asian children with Asian parents was about trying to "reinforce the child's background and ethnicity".
"We think that's one of the factors that can really help a child to settle in a new home," Mr Holmes said."We think that's one of the factors that can really help a child to settle in a new home," Mr Holmes said.
Cultural stigmaCultural stigma
Ms Smith said that, historically, Asian families or even neighbours would look after each other's children, but rarely seek formal adoption.Ms Smith said that, historically, Asian families or even neighbours would look after each other's children, but rarely seek formal adoption.
One reason for that was the cultural stigma surrounding adoption, she added.One reason for that was the cultural stigma surrounding adoption, she added.
"Quite often it says something about people's infertility. It's making a public statement about their ability to have children.""Quite often it says something about people's infertility. It's making a public statement about their ability to have children."
She also said many problems could arise from transracial adoptions, not least from the basic matter of looking different from one's parents.She also said many problems could arise from transracial adoptions, not least from the basic matter of looking different from one's parents.
The Prophet Muhammad himself was fostered. He promoted fostering in his life time. Ismail AmanFoster Care LinkThe Prophet Muhammad himself was fostered. He promoted fostering in his life time. Ismail AmanFoster Care Link
"That child can never just blend in and choose to tell who they want to tell," Ms Smith said."That child can never just blend in and choose to tell who they want to tell," Ms Smith said.
One Asian child needing adoption is 20-month-old Neo.One Asian child needing adoption is 20-month-old Neo.
His birth mother was addicted to drugs and gave him up to be looked after by Bradford Children and Family Services.His birth mother was addicted to drugs and gave him up to be looked after by Bradford Children and Family Services.
Neo has been in care since he was six weeks old.Neo has been in care since he was six weeks old.
History of adoptionHistory of adoption
Ismail Aman is director of Foster Care Link, a service specialising in black, Asian and ethnic minority placements.Ismail Aman is director of Foster Care Link, a service specialising in black, Asian and ethnic minority placements.
He told the BBC that more Asian children were being put up for adoption because of social changes within their communities which lead to more family breakdown.He told the BBC that more Asian children were being put up for adoption because of social changes within their communities which lead to more family breakdown.
Drugs and alcoholism were more prevalent now than in the past, he said, and problems like domestic violence and child abuse were increasingly dealt with publicly rather than within families.Drugs and alcoholism were more prevalent now than in the past, he said, and problems like domestic violence and child abuse were increasingly dealt with publicly rather than within families.
But Mr Aman said the history of adoption within Islam stretched back 1,400 years and should be actively encouraged.But Mr Aman said the history of adoption within Islam stretched back 1,400 years and should be actively encouraged.
"The Prophet Muhammad himself was fostered. He promoted fostering in his life time.""The Prophet Muhammad himself was fostered. He promoted fostering in his life time."
To find out more call 0800 888 809 or text 'PACK' to 63399 to order a Family Wanted information packTo find out more call 0800 888 809 or text 'PACK' to 63399 to order a Family Wanted information pack


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