Adoption losses: naturally occurring or socially constructed?

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Psychology
• Family Studies

Background:

• Contemporary American adoption is often defined by biological kinship, closed adoption practices, and societal stigmas.
• These constructs may lead to significant adoption-related losses for those involved.
• Cross-cultural and historical adoption models present different frameworks not centered on loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how American definitions of kinship and adoption practices influence adoption-related loss.
• To explore alternative adoption models and their implications for understanding adoption outcomes.
• To redefine infant adoption as a complex family structure involving multiple parental and familial relationships.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of contemporary American adoption constructs with cross-cultural and historical adoption accounts.
• Conceptual analysis of kinship, parenthood, and adoption practices.
• Definition of infant adoption as a multi-family system.

Main Results:

• American adoption's emphasis on biological ties and closed practices intensifies feelings of loss.
• Non-Western or historical adoption models demonstrate that adoption does not inherently equate to loss.
• Infant adoption involves navigating relationships with both adoptive parents and birth families.

Conclusions:

• Adoption-related loss is significantly influenced by cultural and legal frameworks, particularly in the US.
• Adoption can be understood as a unique family constellation rather than solely a loss-based experience.
• Findings necessitate a re-evaluation of adoption research, policy, and practice to be more inclusive of diverse family structures and experiences.