“There’s so much out there about the people who are ‘successful’ at adopting, but there’s nothing about people who have walked away from the process.” — Jess Tennant, a woman who decided NOT to adopt, due, in part, to predatory adoption agency practices, in ep 31.
Jess, is an ally in unfiltering adoption. In 2017 after waiting to adopt for many years, Jess and her husband decided to halt their efforts. Some of the reasons are chilling, as you’ll hear in her story.
Jess is a beloved public school teacher in upstate NY, specializing in middle school special ed. She shares sentiments prospective adopters hear from adoption agencies that will make you squirm. She also shares observations about the culture of pronatalism and the ways it shows up pervasively for those wanting to adopt, and even more loudly for those who decide not to.
Engage Further
Resources:
Sara Easterly:
Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard:
Lori Holden:
Dr. Patrice Martin
Jessica Davis and Maureen McCauley
April Dinwoodie
Betsie Norris of Adoption Network Cleveland
Greg Luce of Adoptees United and Adoptee Rights Law Center
Haley Radke of Adoptees On
Claudia Corrigan D’Arcy of AFFCNY
Lynelle Long of InterCountry Adoptee Voices
Pamela Karanova of Adoptees Connect
Adoption Constellation Round Table Fall 2023
Attachment, Adoption, and the Connection Between Food and Caring
Book Discussion of Lois Lowry's The Giver
The Past, Present, and Future of Adoption as Seen Through Sage Eyes
Late Discovery and Transracial Adoptee Perspectives on Adoption
Problematic Adoption Narratives
How to Engage with Other Constellation Members
National Adoption Awareness Month
Adoption Constellation Round Table
Adoption and the Abortion Debate
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