Transracial adoptees often experience more explicit cultural socialization than non-adoptees, likely because White adoptive parents feel more responsibility to intentionally impart cultural knowledge on their children [2]. Yet, non-White non-adoptees receive more preparation for racial bias which can have an enormous protective impact. The difference between transracial adoptees and non-White non-adoptees is the protection they have against race/ethnicity-related psychological threats. In one study, preparation for racial bias and cultural socialization relieved transracial adoptees from depressive symptoms by serving as a protective factor against perceived discrimination; these trends are not seen in ethnic non-adoptees [2]. In addition, having adopted siblings and actively embracing cultural differences contributes to positive identity-building, increased awareness of racism, and “color-consciousness” for all family members [17]. All of these components of socialization contribute to an adoptee’s resilience or the ability to overcome early adversity and develop socially. In this context, it is measured by combining a child’s risk of poor identity development with protective factors [8].

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A “color-conscious” family develops through open discussion of race in social contexts. Parents are the primary racial-ethnic socialization agents in children’s lives from the moment a family is created, so how a parent talks about race is crucial to the child’s development of both cultural/racial identity and family identity [2]. This positive identity development also extends to non-adopted White siblings who show comparatively sophisticated understandings of racism and White privilege [2]. Ultimately, practicing cultural socialization in the family environment has profoundly positive effects on mental health by creating a so-called “identity-home” for transracially adopted children. Strong sense of identity for all members in a multiracial family breeds greater psychological well-being, better relationships which foster support networks, and most importantly, the ability to critically reflect on race relations in the context of the social world.