We hear a lot in the media about celebrities adopting Asian babies, adoptive parents who adopt these babies, and most recently about trafficking of children through adoption.  But, we rarely hear from those Asian adoptees.  Read what Asian adoptees have to say about adoption and trafficking in this month’s issue of Conducive.  Three adoptee authored articles are online now and two more are coming this month.

Here are the links:

Transnational Adoption and the "Financialization of Everything" by Jane Jeong Trenka

International adoption is often seen as a mutually beneficial relationship between children in need of a home and financially stable adults wanting to raise a child. But it is also big-money business. In line with neoliberalism, or the hollowing out of government services, many adopted children are born to single mothers who are offered little to no resources to care for their children. International adoption agencies have stepped into this gap by offering homes, and making a profit in the process. The transformation of adoption into a global business creates a further incentive not to assist mothers, who may turn to adoption out of desperation, not desire. Adoptee activists are working to shed light on this issue. Focusing particularly on South Korea, author and co-founder of Truth and Reconciliation for the Adoption Community of Korea (TRACK) Jane Jeong Trenka argues the process should be re-engineered to put the money and fateful decisions back where they belong: with the mothers and their children.  TRACK is now working with the Korean government to get the the voices of birth parents and Korean adoptees heard in South Korean adoption law revisions.

International Adoption and the Fight for Human Rights by W.S. Westra

International adoption has quietly become a large, lucrative business. While international adoption agencies would no doubt like to keep it this way, adult international adoptees are now asking questions. They are participating in a debate over whose best interests the practice actually serves, or should serve: the adopter or the adoptee? Taking a critical look at the practice of international adoption, chairman of United Adoptees International Hilbrand Westra explores its disturbing overlaps with free market practices and religious justifications, and lays out solutions for practical legal reform.  Westra shows the power of an emerging collective adoptee voice shaping what was once seen as an inevitable inequality.

Trading in Babies by So Yung Kim

Transnational adoption is a thriving global business. Its success and lack of regulation has created a profit motive for child trafficking. Writer, activist, and adoptee filmmaker So Yung Kim recommends reorganizing the transnational adoption industry in order to protect the rights of children. Domestic and international adoptees are already coming together to discuss options and partner on policy issues. Kim also proposes more coalition building between adoptee groups and other collectives fighting for the basic rights of all people.