Beginning in the late 1960s studies were conducted of white families who adopted American black, Korean, Native American, and other children whose racial and ethnic backgrounds were different from those of their adoptive parents.  Part I briefly describes those studies and reports their major findings.  It also summarizes the ongoing debate between those who support and those who oppose transracial adoption (TRA).  The latter claim that black children  who are reared in white homes grow up confused about their racial identity and uncomfortable with or alienated from the black community.  The supporters of transracial adoption claim that black children reared in white home grow up aware of and comfortable with their black racial identity and committed to their white adoptive families.