The Evolution of Language in International Adoption: Embracing Positive Adoption Language
Thursday, August 29, 2024.
Language is a powerful tool that shapes our perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes.
In the context of international adoption, the words and phrases we use profoundly impact how adoption is understood and experienced by all parties involved.
Over the years, the language surrounding adoption has undergone significant changes, reflecting broader societal shifts towards inclusivity, sensitivity, and a deeper understanding of the complexities of adoption.
This post explores the evolution of language in international adoption, with a particular focus on the adoption of Positive Adoption Language (PAL).
By examining recent trends and research in social science, I’ll illustrate how language can either reinforce or challenge stereotypes and stigmas, ultimately influencing the well-being of adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families.
The Evolution of Adoption Language
Historically, the language used in the context of adoption was often laden with negative connotations and bias. Terms such as "illegitimate child," "real parents," and "give up for adoption" reflected a societal perspective that marginalized adoptees and their birth families.
Such language not only stigmatized adoptees but also perpetuated a sense of loss and inadequacy for birth parents, suggesting that adoptees were somehow less legitimate or connected than children raised by their biological parents (Wegar, 2000).
In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards more inclusive and respectful language in adoption discourse.
This change has been driven by a growing recognition of the need to honor the experiences and identities of all parties involved in the adoption process. The emergence of Positive Adoption Language (PAL) has been central to this transformation.
Understanding Positive Adoption Language (PAL)
Positive Adoption Language (PAL) is a framework designed to promote respect, dignity, and accuracy in the way adoption is discussed. It seeks to replace outdated and potentially harmful terminology with language that affirms the experiences of adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families. The goal of PAL is to create a narrative that is empowering, inclusive, and free from stigma.
Some key principles of PAL include:
Affirming the Legitimacy of Adoptive Families: PAL emphasizes that adoptive families are as legitimate and "real" as biological families. Instead of referring to adoptive parents as "adoptive" or "legal" parents, PAL encourages the use of simply "parents" or "mom and dad" (Siegel, 2013). Similarly, birth parents are referred to as "birth parents" rather than "real parents," which implies that adoptive parents are somehow less authentic.
Respecting the Choices of Birth Parents: Instead of saying that a birth parent "gave up" a child for adoption, PAL uses terms like "placed for adoption" or "made an adoption plan." These phrases acknowledge the agency and difficult decisions made by birth parents without implying abandonment or a lack of care (Crea, Barth, & Chintapalli, 2007).
Centering the Adoptee's Experience: PAL encourages the use of language that honors the adoptee's experience and identity. For example, instead of describing a child as "adopted," which can reduce their identity to their adoption status, PAL suggests simply referring to the child as a "child" or "person" (Miller, Fan, Grotevant, Christensen, Coyl, & Van Dulmen, 2000). When relevant, the phrase "was adopted" can be used to describe the process without defining the person by it.
Promoting Cultural Sensitivity: In international adoption, PAL also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and respecting the cultural background of the adoptee. This includes using language that honors the child's heritage and avoids exoticizing or othering the child based on their country of origin (Vonk, 2001).
The Impact of Language on Adoption Experiences
The adoption community and social scientists have increasingly recognized that the language used in adoption has tangible effects on the psychological well-being of adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families.
Positive, inclusive language can contribute to healthier identity formation for adoptees and foster more positive relationships between adoptees and their families.
Research by Grotevant, Wrobel, Von Korff, Skinner, Newell, Friese, and McRoy (2008) found that the use of PAL was associated with higher self-esteem in adoptees and a stronger sense of belonging within their adoptive families.
The study also highlighted that adoptees who were exposed to negative or stigmatizing language were more likely to experience feelings of alienation and confusion about their identity.
Furthermore, the language used by society at large can influence public perceptions of adoption.
When media and public discourse adopt PAL, it can lead to greater acceptance and understanding of adoption as a valid and valuable way to form a family. Conversely, when outdated or negative language is used, it can reinforce harmful stereotypes and biases that marginalize adoptees and their families (Wegar, 2000).
The Role of Social Media and Advocacy in Shaping Adoption Language
The rise of social media has played a significant role in the evolution of adoption language.
Online communities of adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents have become powerful advocates for the use of PAL.
These communities provide a platform for sharing personal stories, raising awareness about the importance of language, and challenging harmful narratives.
One notable example is the #FlipTheScript campaign, launched by adoptees during National Adoption Awareness Month to raise awareness about the experiences and perspectives of adoptees.
The campaign emphasized the importance of using language that reflects the realities of adoption and challenges the dominant narratives often portrayed in the media (Goldman & DiLallo, 2013).
In addition, adoption advocacy organizations such as the Donaldson Adoption Institute have published guidelines on the use of PAL and provided resources for educating the public about the impact of language on adoption experiences (Donaldson Adoption Institute, 2016).
Final thoughts
The language used in the context of international adoption has evolved significantly in recent years, reflecting a broader societal shift towards inclusivity, respect, and sensitivity.
Positive Adoption Language (PAL) plays a crucial role in this evolution by promoting language that affirms the experiences and identities of adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families.
As social science research has shown, the adoption of PAL can positively impact the psychological well-being of adoptees and contribute to a more inclusive and understanding society.
As the conversation around adoption continues to evolve, it is essential that all stakeholders—adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, professionals, and the media—embrace PAL to ensure that the language used around adoption reflects the dignity and legitimacy of all involved.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Crea, T. M., Barth, R. P., & Chintapalli, L. K. (2007). Home study methods for evaluating prospective resource families: History, current challenges, and promising approaches. Social Work Research, 31(1), 6-20. https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/31.1.6
Donaldson Adoption Institute. (2016). Guidelines for positive adoption language. Retrieved from https://www.adoptioninstitute.org/resources/positive-adoption-language/
Goldman, A., & DiLallo, A. (2013). The power of language in the adoption community: Exploring the role of social media in shaping perceptions. Journal of Social Media in Society, 2(2), 65-85.
Grotevant, H. D., Wrobel, G. M., Von Korff, L., Skinner, B., Newell, J., Friese, S., & McRoy, R. G. (2008). Many faces of openness in adoption: Perspectives of adopted adults and adoption professionals. Adoption Quarterly, 10(3-4), 79-101. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926750802163204
Miller, B. C., Fan, X., Grotevant, H. D., Christensen, M., Coyl, D., & Van Dulmen, M. (2000). Adopted adolescents' overrepresentation in mental health counseling: Adoptees' problems or parents' lower threshold for referral? Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 39(12), 1504-1511. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-200012000-00008
Siegel, D. H. (2013). Open adoption and positive adoption language: Moving from theory to practice. Adoption Quarterly, 16(1), 44-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926755.2013.744683
Vonk, M. E. (2001). Cultural competence for transracial adoptive parents. Social Work, 46(3), 246-255. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/46.3.246
Wegar, K. (2000). Adoption, family ideology, and social stigma: Bias in community attitudes, adoption research, and practice. Family Relations, 49(4), 363-370. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2000.00363.x