Abusive Adoption Practices (abstract and links)

The Aftermath of Abusive Adoption Practices in the Lives of Adoption Triad
Members: Responding to Adoption Triad Members Victimized by Abusive Adoption
Practices

by David Smolin and Desiree Smolin (via email)



Abstract:

The
above-titled presentation was given as a plenary presentation at the Annual
Symposium of the Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS) on
April 18, 2012. 

It is important to note
that the original context for this presentation is Intercountry Adoption to the
United States. However, some of you may find some of these points relevant to
domestic adoption issues as well as Intercountry Adoption to other nations
(Canada, Italy, Spain, etc.)



Especially at the event itself, with our own
commentary added, this was a presentation not just on abusive adoption
practices, but especially on how the intercountry adoption system, as shaped by
the United States government and United States adoption agencies, is “designed
for failure.” Abusive adoption practices thus are not merely problems in
themselves, but are symptoms of a system that chronically produces abuses and
breakdowns in the system: a system that fails to self-correct and thus is
self-defeating.



Further, these features of the current dysfunctional
system were not necessarily inevitable, but have arisen from specific choices
made during the construction of the system by the U.S. government and U.S.
agencies. The governing rules they advocated for, and chose, created the
dysfunctions that have doomed the system to continuing cycles of
abuse.



This is very much a presentation about the inestimable human costs
of those failures for all those impacted by adoption: not only adoption triad
members, but also siblings, extended families, communities, and even nations.
It is also a presentation about a system that fails to assist or recognize its
own victims.



The presentation is very much of a joint project: each of
us wrote about half of the material, and each critiqued the other’s materials.
The process of converting material into PowerPoint format was done initially by
Desiree, although again the final product was reviewed, modified, and critiqued
by both of us. Overall, the concepts and information presented represent years
of working together to analyze adoption systems.

We certainly do not expect
everyone to be happy with these materials and critiques may come from all
sides. Please keep in mind that the PowerPoint cannot embody all that we said;
also please keep in mind the original audience and occasion for the
presentation. We welcome vigorous and respectful dialogue, from which we hope
to learn, as so much of what we do know to this point in time is due to the many
people who have shared their experiences and thoughts with us.



For
discussion and further commentary, please go to the blog: http://fleasbiting.blogspot.com/



Thanks,



David
and Desiree Smolin



Link: http://works.bepress.com/david_smolin/12



I do hope everyone will watch this presentation - we need to be informed about the billion dollar adoption industry and its practices... Trace