Brigham Young University’s Department of Sociology and School of Social Work will host a conference, “Transracial Adoption: Issues, Identity and Outcomes,” Tuesday, March 17, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Conference Center.
The conference is free and open to the public, but those who would like to attend must register by sending an e-mail to transracialadoptionbyu@gmail.com. Lunch is available for $9.15.
“The conference will address the increasing trend of transracial adoption, along with the history, successes, identity issues and race socialization associated with transracial or intercountry adoption,” said Cardell Jacobson, BYU professor of sociology and conference coordinator. “Parents need to learn about the identity issues their adopted children could confront and get involved in their children’s culture to provide identity.”
Rita Simon, professor in the Washington College of Law at American University, will present the keynote address, “A 20-Year Study of Transracial Adoption.” Simon is a sociologist with a doctoral degree from the University of Chicago. Before joining the American University faculty, she worked at the University of Illinois, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Chicago.
Jeff Farber, an award-winning independent filmmaker, will discuss his documentary film, “Living on the Fault Line: Where Race and Family Meet.” Featured speakers also include Howard Alstein from the School of Social Work at the University of Maryland and Judge William A. Thorne of the Utah State Court of Appeals.
For more information, contact Kim Reid at (801) 422-1320.
Writer: Angela Fischer
