An Indispensable Contribution to Adoption Literature. Recommended adoption books validate the experiences of all those who have been outright abused but have found the will to survive, thrive, and share their tale.
Compiled by Janine and Jenette Vance, AdoptionLand: From Orphans to Activists, is an indispensable contribution to adoption literature. The essays, poems and letters in this compilation reflect the thoughts, feelings, the souls of those who inhabit AdoptionLand — a place of truth and acceptance for the casualties of the demand for children.
Asian babies Scattered Around the Globe Like Seeds in the Wind.
The anthology brings together twenty-eight men and women. Many are internationally and/or inter-racially adopted. Asian babies are scattered around the globe like seeds in the wind, hoping some will flourish. One taken from Germany and another sent to Germany illustrating the haphazard irrationality of international adoption and begging the question: how could this be in the best interest of the children?
Adopted by a Sexually Abusive Man.
Like the majority of those adopted, many of the contributors were loved and felt great affection for their adoptive parents. One did not know he was adopted until well into adulthood. Another was adopted at ten years old by a sexually abusive man after being abused by a foster family and a “trial” summer adoption. Regardless of their personal circumstances, many grew up to see the fallacies and failings in the adoption process and now work to create change in the system.
The Unknown Culture Club: Korean Adoptees, Then and Now compiled by the Vance Twins
Kidnapped in South Korea and Adopted to Norway.
“There was simply no room for my loneliness and feelings of alienation (as all space was consumed by the happiness of my parents and society’s colour blind conviction of having done ‘something good’ by ‘saving’ me… to show anything but gratitude… would be like slapping the faces of the adoptive parents, who loved me… So I carried my pain alone, wearing a mask for fear I might destroy someone else’s illusion.”
What do the contributors hope to accomplish?
That is as varied as are their experiences. Khara’s (South Korean born, adopted in Norway) dream “is for adoption to end” while Vanessa Pearce (born in India, adopted in Canada) wants “to end the myth that adoption always lead to a better life.” Peter Dodds (born in Germany, adopted to the US) would like the removal of children from their homeland to be a last resort and Lucy Sheen (who says she was “made in Hong Kong and exported to the UK”) wants the same for transracial adoption. Arun Dohle (born in India, adopted in Germany) wishes “for justice for all families who have been separated by adoption.”
The Power of Truth, Transparency, and Community.
As the word “activist” in the title indicates, many of the contributors are doing more than dreaming or wishing. Dohle is co-founder of Against Child Trafficking. Another contributor, Janine Myung Ja, is co-creator of “Adoption Truth and Transparency Worldwide Network.” Tolbias Hübinette (born in South Korea, adopted in Sweden) was instrumental in founding “Truth and Reconciliation for the Adoption Community of Korea.” All are actively trying to eradicate the corruption and exploitation that adoption is riddled with.
For the complete article, read HuffPost, Voices From Adoptionland.
Suggested Stories
Twins Found in a Box: Adapting to Adoption.
In this uplifting memoir, the author recounts how and why members of the Vance family left organized religion in 1997 and went on to expand their belief system to include Eastern Philosophy. This Generation-X Coming-of-Age young adult story documents unique all-American experiences and shares the author's loyalty to the adoptive family prompted by the empathy she feels when her adoptive father survives a 1984 traumatic brain injury, which led to providing his care until 2021. The story focuses on transitioning from being raised in a fundamentalist Christian family to accepting a philosophical point of view that values all of nature after being kicked out of the church.
"As a fellow inter-country adoptee, this book means so much to me because it validates the experience I went through growing up in the 70' and 80s."
Americanized ' 72 tells of Janine's personal memoir that would typically be kept behind the scenes or in the dark in real life because it has to do with adoption, and most adoptions start with secrets. Janine is vulnerable and innocent, and this is a coming-of-age story of trying to figure out her identity, her place within her family, her rocky adoptive mom's relationship, and her sickness. Janine not only shares openly her experience, but she shares with ironies, sarcasm, and sense-of-humor that really shine through in her memoir. Her voice is revolutionary for those of us who are not yet able to communicate, articulate, and/or are scared to share because of our adoptive families. For most of us, we have to keep quiet about how we truly feel about our adoption experience for fear of upsetting our adoptive parents.
The Search For Mother Missing: A Peek Inside International Adoption
The Search for Mother Missing: A Peek Inside International Adoption by Janine Vance
In this contemporary tale detailing a two-week trip that explores intercountry adoption from South Korea, twin sisters travel to their birth city of Seoul in search of their Korean family. Little incidents along the way serve as a catalyst that leads them into a worldwide modern-day adoptee-rights movement seeking truth and transparency.
"Wow, this was an interesting read. I knew nothing about adoption, let alone foreign adoption, prior to reading this thought-provoking and eye-opening book."
I read it thinking it might be interesting, and found myself shocked and amazed by what I read. This is a page-turner. If you are interested in learning more about adoption or just the journey of some of your fellow man, I highly recommend this book. It is entertaining, educational, and enlightening."
The Unknown Culture Club: Korean Adoptees, Then and Now
Korean Adoptee Anthology 2023 compiled by the Vance Twins
These stories validate the experiences of all those who have been ridiculed or outright abused but have found the will to survive, thrive, and share their tale. Adopted people all over the world are reclaiming the right to truth and access to birth documents. This book is a living testament on why previous "orphans" do not endorse the profitable Evangelical Orphan Movement. Those who work in the human rights field, whistleblowers, or adopted, will see the value of this book. After years of forced "positivity" led by the profiteers, it is time to be real. These are real stories from individuals no longer serving the adoption pioneers' fanciful wishes and advertising campaigns.
"A Powerful Collection."
"This is a powerful and important read for all. The adoptee voice is all too often silenced, and it can literally be life or death for some to be heard and seen."
The Vance Twins co-founded Adoption Truth and Transparency Worldwide Information Network. For years they have shown compassion and support to the community, which includes domestic, inter-country, late-discovery adoptees, AND long-lost families. If you are adopted, you can identify with the author's adoption experience, but if you are not adopted, you will get a real taste of how it 'feels' to be adopted with all the extra issues that most people never have to deal with or think about. So don't be shy about picking up this book. You will not regret it.
Recommended Read
Adoption History: An Adoptee's Research Into Child Trafficking
Adoption History: An Adoptee's Research Into Child Trafficking by Janine Myung Ja
These stories validate the experiences of all those who have been ridiculed or outright abused but have found the will to survive, thrive, and share their tale. Adopted people all over the world are reclaiming the right to truth and access to birth documents. This book is a living testament on why previous "orphans" do not endorse the profitable Evangelical Orphan Movement. Those who work in the human rights field, whistleblowers, or adopted, will see the value of this book. After years of forced "positivity" led by the profiteers, it is time to be real. These are real stories from individuals no longer serving the adoption pioneers' fanciful wishes and advertising campaigns.
"A Powerful Collection."
"This is a powerful and important read for all. The adoptee voice is all too often silenced, and it can literally be life or death for some to be heard and seen."
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