Amanda, a Dominican woman adopted by a white couple in Connecticut, shares her journey of finding her birth mother after years of dead ends. The podcast explores the impact of connecting with birth parents on one's sense of identity and belonging. It also discusses the challenges faced by adopted individuals in understanding their cultural heritage and the significance of adoption stories in society.
Adopted individuals may benefit from exploring their biological roots to promote a sense of belonging and identity.
Connecting with her birth mother and embracing her cultural heritage empowered Amanda to feel more grounded and find her place in the world.
Deep dives
The significance of adoption: A common experience
About 2% of all people under the age of 18 in the US have been adopted, highlighting the prevalence of adoption. However, many individuals raised by their adoptive parents do not necessarily feel the need to explain their biology to others, leading to a potential underestimation of the adoption figure. Research suggests that having some context between the child and their biological parents can be beneficial for all parties involved, promoting a sense of belonging and a deeper understanding of one's identity.
The journey to finding biological roots
Amanda, who was adopted and raised in an Italian-American family, embarked on a search for her birth mother who resided in the Dominican Republic. Growing up, she faced challenges in exploring her cultural identity. Over the years, Amanda used platforms like Facebook and even took a trip to the Dominican Republic, but her search encountered dead ends. Eventually, she connected with a lawyer who helped her locate her birth family in Italy, revealing a surprising twist. After years of searching, Amanda finally reunited with her birth mother and began to navigate the complexities of their relationship.
Finding acceptance and self-assurance
Meeting her biological mother and delving into the Dominican culture brought a sense of acceptance and self-assurance to Amanda's life. Prior to the reunion, she struggled with feelings of not belonging to either the white community or the Dominican community. However, connecting with her birth mother and embracing her Latinidad brought about a profound transformation, empowering her to feel more grounded in her own identity. This journey of self-discovery helped Amanda find her place in the world, fostering a deeper understanding of herself and her roots.
In Britain, one-fourth of people who were adopted make contact with their birth parents before they turn 18. In this episode, Saleem meets Amanda, a Dominican woman who was adopted by a white couple in Connecticut. Amanda always knew she was adopted and was curious about her birth parents. After a few years of dead ends, she finally finds her biological mother … in the last place she expected.