Leslie Doty Hollingsworth

Many adoption advocates are in favor of increasing trans- racial adoptions to respond to the overrepresentation of minority children in the child welfare system. However, adoption expert Leslie Doty Hollingsworth contends that the promotion of same-race adoptions is a more desirable solution to the disproportionate numbers of minority children in foster care. In the following viewpoint, Hollingsworth argues that to meet the needs of adoptable minority children, policies and attitudes must be changed to encourage more minority families to adopt. In addition, she claims public policies should support family preservation and counter the forces that negatively impact minority families, such as social inequality and poverty. Hollingsworth is assistant professor at the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Hollingsworth, what claims are used...