Today we're diving into the complexities of adoption— exploring the emotional and psychological impacts on adoptees. Janet Sherlund, author of Abandoned at Birth: Searching for the Arms that Once Held Me , shares her personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the trauma associated with being adopted and the societal expectations surrounding it. We also consider the societal narratives surrounding adoption, the dark history of the adoption industry, and the importance of focusing on the needs of the child rather than the desires of adoptive parents.
Janet's Recommended Reading: Relinquished by Gretchen Sisson , Who is a Worthy Mother by Rebecca Wellington, Maggie O'Farrell's writing
Keywords
adoption, trauma, identity, belonging, motherhood, generational perspectives, biological connections, open adoption, policies, gratitude, adoption, trauma, adoptees, parenting, adoption industry, reform, identity, belonging, infertility, societal norms
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Adoption: A Deeper Perspective
03:03 The Adoptee's Experience: Trauma and Identity
05:51 Generational Perspectives on Motherhood
08:49 The Search for Belonging: Filling the Void
12:07 Biological Connections: The Impact of Meeting Birth Parents
15:00 The Complexity of Adoption: Gratitude and Trauma
18:03 The Challenges of Open Adoption and Current Policies
30:02 The Adoption Industry and Its Implications
35:51 The Dark Side of Adoption
42:01 Understanding Trauma in Adoption
48:03 Reforming Adoption Practices for the Future
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