China recently announced the suspension of international adoptions, impacting thousands of Chinese adoptees living in the U.S. Maze Felix, a Chinese adoptee, expressed a mix of emotions, including anger, relief, and confusion, in response to the news. While some adoptees feel relief that relinquished children can maintain their birth cultures, others mourn the end of a program that was central to their experiences. Grace Newton, an adoption researcher and Chinese adoptee, emphasized the importance of adoptees finding connection and community with others who share their experiences.
The decision to suspend international adoptions comes after China greenlit them in 1992, leading to roughly 160,000 Chinese children being adopted globally. This policy change coincides with China’s reversal of the one-child policy in 2016 and the implementation of a three-child policy in 2021. The declining birth rates and challenges facing the country have led to government incentives and policies to address population decline and support families.
Many adoptees, like Katelyn Monaco, acknowledge the complexities of international adoption, including challenges in understanding their heritage and obtaining citizenship. The new policy has raised concerns about the impact on existing adoptees’ records and their ability to maintain ties with their birth country. Adoptees are calling for more support for children in China’s social welfare system and a shift in societal attitudes towards disabilities.
Overall, adoptees stress the importance of including their voices in discussions around adoption policies, as their experiences are ongoing and shape their identities throughout their lives. Despite varying reactions to the policy change, adoptees agree that their perspectives should be considered in decisions that affect them directly.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
