China recently announced the suspension of international adoptions, leaving many Chinese adoptees in the U.S. feeling a mix of emotions, including anger, relief, grief, and confusion. The decision has brought up complex feelings about birth culture, personal experiences, and a sense of loss. The new policy has highlighted the importance of finding connection and community among adoptees who share similar experiences.
The announcement comes after China greenlit international adoption in 1992, leading to approximately 160,000 Chinese children being adopted to other countries. The recent decline in international adoptions coincides with China’s reversal of the one-child policy in 2016 and the implementation of a “three-child policy” in 2021. These changes have created challenges related to population decline and support for children and individuals with disabilities in the country.
Many adoptees are concerned about the impact on existing records, especially regarding orphanage visits, birth parent searches, and connections to their birth country. The new policy has sparked discussions about the importance of adoptees being central to conversations around adoption policy changes. There is a need for more support for children in Chinese social welfare institutes and efforts to reduce stigma around disabilities in the country.
Overall, the suspension of international adoptions has sparked a range of reactions among adoptees, underscoring the need for their voices and experiences to be prioritized in discussions surrounding adoption policy. The decision has highlighted the ongoing complexities of the adoption experience that are processed over a lifetime, rather than being a one-time event.
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