Adoption Deconstructed

Adoption Deconstructed is a platform that challenges dominant narratives about adoption by centring the voices of adopted people, mothers of loss, and critical researchers.

We explore the culture of adoption as a legal, psychological, and social structure that impacts identity, autonomy, and the right to truth. We focus on adoption as it is lived and legislated in New Zealand and globally.

Created by Dr. Barbara Sumner, adoptee, researcher, and author of Tree of Strangers, this Substack goes beyond personal stories to interrogate the systems that shape and silence adopted people.

Here you will find:

• Longform essays on adoption law, history, health politics and reform

• Memoir-infused commentary on adoption, identity and loss

• Critical analysis of open adoption, sealed records, and intercountry adoption

• Submissions to government and international bodies (including the Hague)

• Guest posts and interviews with adoptee rights advocates

Adoption Deconstructed explores:

• adoption systems

• adopted people

• birth parents

• Adoption records

• adoption trauma

• adoption laws

• open adoption

• adoption secrecy

• adoption reform

• adoptee rights

We explore adoption as a legal, psychological, and social structure—one that impacts identity, autonomy, and the right to truth. Our focus is on adoption as it is lived and legislated, with global relevance.

Posts are published regularly and written with depth, urgency, and an unwavering commitment to truth.

If you care about truth, justice, and the human right to know who you are, join us.

Subscribe to support adoptee-centered journalism, research, and resistance.

#Adoption #AdopteeRights #AdoptionReform #OpenRecords #AdoptionTruth

It’s free to subscribe.

Subscribe and support

Paid subscribers are offered an hour one-on-one with Dr Barbara Sumner to discuss adoption.

Invite to join our exclusive regular online group meet-ups.

Access to footnoted versions of all Substack columns by Dr Barbara Sumner.

Barbara’s critically acclaimed memoir, Tree of Strangers, is now available directly from the author, signed and inscribed.

Tree of Strangers

To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.