Adopted people must be allowed to participate in the adoption debate

6 July 2021

For 60 years, Norway has patted itself on the shoulder and carried out more than 20,000 adoptions across continents. The adoptees' cultural heritage and emphasis on genetics are usually left at the airport in the country of birth. As they land in Norway, they are Norwegian-born.

The whole adoption system is colored by this attitude.

The complexity of raising children without belonging to their country of birth and cultural heritage, and at the same time asking them questions about whether they want to return is unlike anything else. If you look closely at the adoption industry and life as an adoptee, you no longer wonder if trauma and dissociations occur.

The assimilated conception of reality, which in the technical language is referred to as an "adoption fog", requires concrete measures and a great deal against breaking out.

Openness about feelings related to one's own adoption and thoughts about the industry is an important factor in this process.

Must go on eggshells in the debate

The challenge is that some adoptees feel that they have to go on eggshells in the debate, and are imposed a responsibility beyond their own capacity. If you express criticism, you are usually asked to decide what other alternatives than an international adoption exist, and if you want improvements in the system, it is thrown back that there would be worse conditions in the country of birth.

The debate has been led by the associations, and the associations consist of adoptive parents. The research that underlies the field of adoption has been carried out by up to several adoptive parents.

Previously, they spoke on behalf of the voiceless adopted children, but the children have grown up.

Adopted are excluded from the debate

Critical adoptees are rarely released in the media or by associations. Instead of cheering on different voices and narratives, they are imposed a debt of gratitude. The now adult critical adoptees are excluded in the sunshine debate because their experiences and narratives do not strengthen the industry.

Who will now speak on behalf of the voiceless adult adoptees who are oppressed by a sunshine debate led by adoption mediators?

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