Category: Adoptee vulnerability

Cut Chilli Melbourne Community Event

On By lynellelongIn Adoptee Intimate Relationships, Adoptee vulnerability, adoption conversations, Adoption Conversations, Adoption questions, adoptive family dialogue, Adoptive parents, Australia, Birth Parents Searching, colourblindness in adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Exploring adoptive parent journey, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Grief and Loss for adoptive parents, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Intercultural struggles, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Sri Lanka, Transracial AdoptionLeave a comment

ICAV’s Cut Chilli Melbourne event brought adoptees together through theatre, food and a panel exploring identity, family, belonging and lived experience.

Adoption is a lifelong process

On By lynellelongIn Abandonment and Rejection, Abuse in Adoption, Adjustment and Transition, Adoptee Intimate Relationships, Adoptee Support, Adoptee support provided by adoptees, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Attachment, adoption conversations, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, Adoption questions, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent reflection, Aloneness, Isolation, colourblindness in adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Finding biological mother, Importance of Connections to Origins, Intercultural struggles, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Peer support, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, Sense of Belonging, Suicide, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Lynelle presents that adoptees need informed, compassionate and lifelong support as they navigate identity, belonging and the complexities of living between two worlds.

Belonging: The Lifelong Question Many Adoptees Cannot Answer

On By lynellelongIn Abandonment and Rejection, Abuse in Adoption, Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee Intimate Relationships, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption and silence, Adoption Attachment, Adoption Conversations, adoption conversations, adoption estrangement, Adoption questions, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent defensiveness, Alcohol and drug addiction, Aloneness, Isolation, Citizenship in Adoption, colourblindness in adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, first family separation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Intercultural struggles, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Origins Search, Peer support, Post Adoption Support, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, Searching but no reunion in adoption, Sense of Belonging, Sexual Abuse in Adoption, Survival mechanisms, Therapy, Third Culture Kid (TCK), Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Lynelle discusses why so many intercountry adoptees struggle to feel they belong? A powerful personal reflection on identity, family, race, loss and finding belonging.

Child of their Time, Film Review

On By lynellelongIn Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee vulnerability, adoption and silence, adoption conversations, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, Adoption questions, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent defensiveness, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Aloneness, Isolation, Complexities in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Finding biological mother, first family separation, Forced separation, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Indonesia, Intercultural struggles, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Motherloss, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Survival mechanisms, The Netherlands, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Lynelle reviews Child of their Time, a documentary exploring estrangement, male adoptee voices, adoptive fathers, family pain, apology and the need for support.

Adoptee Fear of Being Alone

On By Guest BloggerIn Abandonment and Rejection, adoptee emotional burden, adoptee in prison, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, adoption conversations, Adoption questions, Aloneness, Isolation, Australia, Complexities in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, first family separation, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Peer support, Post Adoption Support, Sense of Belonging, Sri Lanka, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

A Sri Lankan adoptee Jonti reflects on abandonment trauma, the fear of losing family, and healing through therapy, peer support and community connection.

Beyond Adoption: Human Rights, Family Separation and Accountability

On By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adoptee Activism, Adoptee vulnerability, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, adoption and silence, adoption conversations, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive parent defensiveness, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, China, Citizenship in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Family Preservation, Finding biological mother, first family separation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, State responsibilities in adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC, UN Joint Statement Illegal AdoptionLeave a comment

Lynelle calls for a new child and family rights system that preserves identity, family, culture, truth, belonging and accountability for all families.

Adoptee Suicidality and Living with the Exit Sign

On By Guest BloggerIn Abandonment and Rejection, Abuse in Adoption, Adjustment and Transition, Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, adoptee in prison, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, adoption and silence, Adoption Attachment, Adoption Conversations, adoption conversations, adoption estrangement, Adoption questions, adoptive family dialogue, Adoptive parents, Alcohol and drug addiction, colourblindness in adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, denial gaslighting minimisation by others, Difficult discussions in adoption, Finding biological mother, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Intercultural struggles, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Peer Support, Peer support, Post Adoption Support, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Suicide, Survival mechanisms, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

A personal reflection on adoptee suicidality, identity, abandonment and hope, exploring how adoption can shape mental health while choosing, each day, to stay.

Who controls adoption archives?

On By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Agencies, adoption and power imbalance, adoption archives, adoption conversations, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, Adoption Research, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, State responsibilities in adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Archives are not neutral. Durga, an adoptee researcher reveals how access to information, identity, and human rights are shaped by power.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 6

On By lynellelongIn Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, adoption and silence, Adoption Attachment, adoption conversations, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption estrangement, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent defensiveness, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth family trauma, Birth Parents Searching, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Family Preservation, Finding biological mother, First family responsibility, first family separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Justice Routes, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Lived experience leadership, Motherloss, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Peer Support, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, reparative justice in adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, State responsibilities in adoption, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRCLeave a comment

Adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin reflect on truth, accountability, grief, and whether honesty can create deeper connection within adoption.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 5

On By lynellelongIn Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption accountability, adoption conversations, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Adoptive parents, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth mother choices, Birth Parents Searching, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Exploring adoptive parent journey, Finding biological mother, First family responsibility, first family separation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Costs, Post Adoption Support, Reparation in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, reunion trauma, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, State responsibilities in adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin reflect on reunion, first families, identity, grief, and the responsibilities created through adoption.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 4

On By lynellelongIn Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption and silence, adoption conversations, Adoption Conversations, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent reflection, Adoptive parents, Citizenship in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Finding biological mother, Generational trauma, Grief and Loss, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not ready for Reunion, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, South Korea, State responsibilities in adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin explore power, identity, records access, citizenship, reunion, and the lifelong impacts of adoption.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 3

On By lynellelongIn Adjustment and Transition, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, adoption and silence, Adoption Conversations, adoption conversations, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption estrangement, Adoption questions, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent defensiveness, adoptive parent reflection, Adoptive parents, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Exploring adoptive parent journey, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Racism in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, South Korea, State responsibilities in adoption, Survival mechanisms, Transracial AdoptionLeave a comment

Adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin explore silence, emotional protection, loyalty, and why difficult adoption conversations often break down.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 2

On By lynellelongIn Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, Adoption Education for Professionals, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent reflection, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Exploring adoptive parent journey, Grief and Loss, Illegal Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Rights in Adoption, South Korea, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Intercountry adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin reflect on grief, silence, accountability, and honesty in adoption during a time of global reckoning.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 1

On By Guest BloggerIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Attachment, Adoption Conversations, Adoption questions, Adoptive parents, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Exploring adoptive parent journey, Finding biological mother, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Norway, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Peer Support, Politics of Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Rights in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, South Korea, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRCLeave a comment

Kristin, a Norwegian adoptive parent reflects on listening to adoptees, acknowledging harm, and supporting truth, identity, and accountability in adoption.

When search doesn’t lead to reunion: A Bulgarian adoptee’s reality

On By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee Names, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Attachment, Adoption questions, Bulgaria, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Finding biological mother, Forced separation, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Post Adoption Support, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Searching but no reunion in adoption, Sense of Belonging, Trauma in Adoption, USA1 Comment

Nicole, adopted from Bulgaria, shares the painful reality of searching for origins, identity, and family—while learning to live without answers.

Adoption Across a Lifetime: Why Reform Must Move Beyond the Child-Centric Lens

On By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adjustment and Transition, Adoptee Activism, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Education for Professionals, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Family Preservation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Intercultural struggles, Is adoption the best option, Justice Routes, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, State responsibilities in adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRCLeave a comment

Lynelle's opening keynote on intercountry adoption, exploring identity, lifelong impacts, and the urgent need to reform systems beyond a child-centric lens.

Understanding the Grief Adoptees Carry

On By lynellelongIn Adoptee vulnerability, Australia, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Intercultural struggles, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Survival mechanisms, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, VietnamLeave a comment

Intercountry adoptees often carry deep grief from separation, identity loss, and culture. Understanding begins with witnessing.

When Adoption Erases Sisters

On By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee Activism, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Attachment, adoption reform, Advocacy, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Family Preservation, Forced separation, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, Legal Action taken by Adoptees, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sri Lanka, State responsibilities in adoption, Suicide, The Netherlands, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

A Sri Lankan adoptee, Sita, in the Netherlands shares why restoring identity and family ties must follow the ending of international adoption.

Love, Relationships, and the Impact of Adoption

On By Guest BloggerIn Abandonment and Rejection, Adoptee Intimate Relationships, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Attachment, Adoption questions, Australia, Complexities in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, incarcerated adoptee, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Post Adoption Support, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Sri Lanka, Survival mechanisms, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Jonti reflects on how adoption trauma shaped his relationships, emotional reactions, and journey toward growth.

Agent Orange, Adoption, and the Long Reach of War

On By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Attachment, Adoption questions, Advocacy, Birth family trauma, Birth mother choices, Birth Parents Searching, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Finding biological mother, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Grief and Loss, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Motherloss, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Sense of Belonging, Survival mechanisms, Sweden, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, VietnamLeave a comment

Vietnam adoptee Vinh shares his search for family, the impact of Agent Orange, reunion with his mother, and a call to heal trauma and end violence.

Crying out your name

On By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee Artists, Adoptee vulnerability, Birth Parents Searching, Canada, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Haiti, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Origins Search, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, UncategorizedLeave a comment

A poignant song by Haitian adoptee, Sabine, in Quebec exploring separation, identity, two families, and enduring love between mother and child across distance.

From Silence to Self: An Adoptee’s Song

On By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee Anger, Adoptee Artwork, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption questions, Adoptive parents, Belgium, Complexities in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Grief and Loss for adoptive parents, Importance of Connections to Origins, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Motherloss, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Survival mechanisms, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, VietnamLeave a comment

Cao shares a song written across decades, exploring search, grief, identity, and healing after loss, silence, and self-acceptance.

Intercountry adoptees taking legal action and reclaiming our rights

On By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Abuse in Adoption, Adoptee Anger, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Discharge Annulment, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, Adoptive parents, Advocacy, Australia, Belgium, Birth Parents Searching, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Citizenship in Adoption, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Denmark, Deportation of Adoptees, Difficult discussions in adoption, Ethiopia, Forced separation, France, Generational trauma, Germany, Gratitude in Adoption, Guatemala, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, India, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, Italy, Justice Routes, Korea, Legal Action taken by Adoptees, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, New Zealand, Norway, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Reparation in Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC, UK, UN Joint Statement Illegal Adoption, USA, Vietnam, What is an Illegal and Illicit Adoption?Leave a comment

Intercountry adoptees worldwide are taking legal action to expose illegal adoptions, demand truth, and push for justice, accountability, and human rights reform.