Reproducing the Border: Kinship Legalities in the Bioeconomy

Narrating connection in intercountry adoption: Complexities of openness in Taiwan‒Australia adoptions

“…Towards the turn of the millennium, intercountry adult adoptees started to voice their concerns about the practice of intercountry and transracial adoption, highlighting a range of issues, particularly their struggles with identity and belonging (Trenka, Oparah, & Shin, 2006). To date, consideration about the importance of connection in transnational adoption practices has been neglected, or even conveniently forgotten to suit preferences to avoid contact with birth mother by prospective adopters in western countries (Seymore, 2014).…”

“…There is a growing literature on experiences of adult adoptees who search and find their birth families and seek a 'reunion' or ongoing relationship (Kim, 2010;van Wichelen, 2017;Yngvesson, 2003Yngvesson, , 2010. From the 1980s, adult adoptees in the US started organising themselves politically and, supported by birth mothers, initiated protests and legal actions to open sealed adoption records (Carp, 1998(Carp, , 2002Modell & Schachter, 2002).…”

“…They also utilise the internet and social media to search for birth parents. Growth of new technologies and sense of genetic relevance prompted a growing number of adoptees to search out the 'missing pieces' that supposedly governed their lives (van Wichelen, 2017). Because of increased mobility, it is easier to embark upon so-called 'return' journeys to their place of birth.…”