The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood

Working Mom Hour

Join Mads for a special interview with Gretchen Sisson Ph.D., who recently released “Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and Privilege of American Motherhood,” to uncover the often-overlooked stories of mothers who relinquish their children for adoption.

Throughout the process of writing Relinquished, Gretchen learned how factors like poverty, lack of support, inadequate counseling, and limited access to resources and information force women to make choices they never imagined. She also reveals startling facts about the lack of federal regulation and the role of market forces.

As an adoptive mom, Mads believes these conversations are critical for change, so don’t miss out on this important discussion.
In this episode you’ll discover:

• How to understand adoption from a birth parent's perspective.
• The broad definition of motherhood, and how birth mothers continue to mother their children in unseen ways, even after relinquishment.
• Emotional and financial struggles mothers face and how adoption can often come from a place of limited choice.
  

1:52 - Defining Motherhood
6:17 - The Emotional Impact of Adoption
10:27 - Statistics, Data and Private Adoption System
13:53 - Barriers to Parenting and Examples of Relinquishment
23:17 - Ethics in the Adoption Industry
28:02 - Unlicensed Adoption Facilitators, Legal Ambiguity and Revocation Rights
40:51 - Vision for a Healthier Adoption System and Practices

Connect with Gretchen:

Website: https://www.gretchensisson.com/

Book Website: https://www.relinquishedbook.com/

Substack: https://gretchen.substack.com/
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Capitole

1. Exploring the Unseen Side of Adoption (00:00:00)

2. Book Reception and Adoption Conversations (00:08:45)

3. Challenges and Realities of Adoption (00:15:03)

4. Federal Law and Adoption Practices (00:28:04)

5. Ethical Practices in Adoption Processes (00:35:43)