China ends international adoption

China has ended its international adoption program, a decision that has shocked and angered families still in the process of adopting, while bringing mixed reactions from adoptees. Over three decades, many children from China were adopted internationally, with more than half finding homes in the U.S. However, Chinese adoptees, now young adults, have expressed relief and support for the decision, citing past scandals involving kidnapping and unethical practices in the adoption process.

Many adoptees appreciate their adoptive families and acknowledge the better opportunities they had, but also struggle with issues of identity and the complicated legacy of international adoption. Some adoptees recall growing up in predominantly white communities where they experienced racism and a lack of connection to their Chinese heritage. The program’s end has sparked reflections on the emotional complexities of adoption and the long-lasting impact it has on identity, family, and belonging.

Source: NPR