https://medium.com/thoughtless-delineation/from-trauma-to-transformation-f81ba510c0b6Shane Bouel
Mar 2
From Trauma to Transformation
A Call for an Equitable Adoption System
Exploring the systemic biases and power imbalances inherent in current adoption practices, and advocating for a child & adult-centred approach.
Adoption is a complex process that can have profound and lasting effects on the mental health and well-being of adoptees for life. Despite this, adoption practices are often characterized by systemic biases, power imbalances, and societal neglect, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about adoptees. This has resulted in deep-seated identity struggles, cultural disconnect, and ongoing trauma for adoptees, who often carry a heavy burden of pain and grief. In this article, we will explore the need for recognition and reform of the adoption system, challenging the status quo and advocating for a child-centred approach that prioritizes the well-being and dignity of adoptees. We will shed light on the systemic biases and power imbalances inherent in current adoption practices and unveil the societal oppression faced by adoptees, emphasizing the need for societal empathy and understanding. Society often trivializes and overlooks the trauma and pain experienced by adoptees. The societal fetishization of reunion perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about adoption, which only compound the adoptee’s trauma. Furthermore, current adoption practices often prioritize the desires of adoptive parents over the well-being and best interests of the child and adults alike. This fundamental violation of human rights is a reflection of the systemic biases, privilege, and power imbalances that underpin adoption practices. Adoptees carry a heavy burden of trauma and pain that society conveniently overlooks. The very foundation of adoption, as it currently stands, perpetuates inequities, disparities, marginalization, oppression, discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping, bias, privilege, and power imbalances faced by adoptees. It’s high time that we all take a good, hard look in the mirror and acknowledge our own roles in perpetuating them. For example, Reunion porn, society's fetishization of adoptees reuniting with their biological families, is a clear example of society’s disconnect and lack of empathy towards adoptees. Society’s obsession with the so-called “happy ending” of reunion, while completely disregarding the trauma that comes before it, is appalling. Adoptees are often robbed of their cultural heritage, identity, and sense of belonging, leading to attachment disorders, identity formation struggles, and ongoing grief and loss. The trauma and pain that adoptees carry are further compounded and perpetuated by a society that chooses to view them as second-class citizens when in fact this perpetuation is really a reflection of the issues within society at large. It’s time for society to wake up and recognise the systemic issues that affect adoptees’ mental health and well-being. We must acknowledge the historical injustices of the Stolen Generation and Forced Adoptions, for both Indigenous and white communities, and work towards reconciliation and reparations. We must also challenge the damaging narratives of reunion porn and the unicorn and rainbows narrative that ignores the reality of the true adoptee experience. Society must recognise its complicity in the ongoing trauma and pain experienced by adoptees. We must work towards a more just and equitable adoption system that prioritizes the well-being and best interests of the child. Adoptees deserve better than to be continually disregarded and overlooked by a society that refuses to confront its own prejudices and biases. It’s time for us all to do better. Society’s neglect and mistreatment of adoptees is a deep-seated issue that requires more than just policy reform. It requires a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and perspectives. Adoptees should not be the ones burdened with the responsibility of healing and overcoming the trauma and pain inflicted upon them by a flawed adoption system. Rather, it is society itself that needs therapy therapy that helps us ALL to confront and dismantle the systemic biases, power imbalances, and prejudices that underpin current adoption practices. Only then, can we truly create a just and equitable adoption system that prioritizes the well-being and dignity of adoptees. It’s time for government officials to take a hard look at the systemic issues that affect adoptees’ mental health and well-being. We must acknowledge the historical injustices of the Stolen Generation and forced adoptions, communities, and work towards reconciliation and reparations for healing. Leaders and policymakers, it’s your responsibility to advocate for a more just and equitable adoption system that prioritises the well-being and best interests of both the child and adult. Adoptees deserve better than to be continually disregarded and overlooked by a society that refuses to confront its own prejudices and biases.
It’s time for CHANGE.
