Shifting Paradigms
Centering Voices in Ethical Adoption Discourse
The landscape of adoption has long been marked by systemic biases and exploitative practices, echoing historical injustices and perpetuating harmful beliefs. Despite strides in awareness and advocacy, the fundamental dynamics of power and control continue to shape adoption processes, leaving adoptees and birth mothers vulnerable to exploitation and marginalization.
Systemic Biases in Adoption
From its inception, adoption has been influenced by systemic biases rooted in societal norms, economic incentives, and cultural attitudes. These biases often prioritize the desires and interests of adoptive parents and adoption agencies over the well-being and rights of adoptees and birth parents. The historical context of adoption reflects a pattern of coercion, deceit, and manipulation, where vulnerable individuals, particularly birth mothers, were stripped of their agency and coerced into relinquishing their parental rights.
Exploitation and Marginalization:
The parallels between adoption practices and historical exploitation, such as prostitution, are striking. Just as marginalized individuals were commodified and exploited for financial gain in historical contexts, adoptees and birth mothers are often treated as commodities in the adoption process. The power differentials inherent in adoption can lead to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, perpetuating cycles of trauma, loss, and disempowerment.
Beliefs and Attitudes:
Despite efforts to challenge outdated beliefs and attitudes, deeply ingrained stereotypes and misconceptions continue to shape adoption discourse. The notion of “saving” children through adoption, for instance, can mask underlying power dynamics and reinforce saviour narratives that prioritize adoptive parents’ desires over the rights and identities of adoptees and birth parents. This belief system perpetuates a cycle of paternalism and erasure, further marginalizing those directly impacted by adoption.
The Need for Change:
Addressing systemic biases and exploitative practices in adoption requires a comprehensive reevaluation of existing norms, policies, and attitudes. Adoptees and birth mothers must be centred in adoption narratives, with their voices, experiences, and rights are given primacy. This shift necessitates a move towards ethical, trauma-informed adoption practices that prioritize transparency, consent, and empowerment for all parties involved.
As we reflect on the unchanged realities of systemic biases and exploitation in adoption, it becomes clear that transformative change is imperative. By confronting historical legacies, challenging harmful beliefs, and centering the voices of those impacted by adoption, we can work towards a more equitable and just adoption system that upholds the dignity, rights, and well-being of all individuals involved.
