China recently announced the suspension of international adoptions, leaving Chinese adoptees like Maze Felix feeling a range of emotions from relief to grief. Over 80,000 children were adopted from China to the U.S. in the past three decades, many of whom are now grappling with the end of a program that played a significant role in shaping their lives.
Grace Newton, an adoption researcher and Chinese adoptee, emphasized the complex feelings adoptees are experiencing and the importance of finding connection with others who share similar experiences. The suspension of international adoptions comes as China faces challenges related to population decline and the aftermath of the one-child policy.
Katelyn Monaco, a Chinese adoptee, reflected on the impact of the one-child policy on adoption practices and the struggle to connect with her Chinese heritage. She sees potential positives in children being raised in their birth culture and country, but acknowledges the challenges adoptees face in securing citizenship and understanding their identities.
The new policy has raised concerns among adoptees about the potential impact on their records and ability to connect with their birth country. There is a fear that adoptees may become forgotten or marginalized in history if their documentation is not properly handled. Newton advocates for more support for children in Chinese social welfare institutes, calling for a shift in resources away from international adoption towards strengthening social services for children and individuals with disabilities.
Ultimately, adoptees should be central to discussions surrounding adoption policy changes, as their perspectives and experiences are often overlooked or not fully understood by those outside the adoptee community. Adoption is a lifelong journey, and adoptees continue to process their experiences over time.
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