My parents' doctor was pretty adamant that we donor conceived people never be told about our origins. I feel that even in the 1980s that should have been recognized by the medical profession as bad advice. It certainly was hurtful to many of my donor siblings. Thankfully my parents went against it based on a radio program on the importance of disclosing adoption status to adoptees.
Some parents are being pressured by their own family not to tell based on cultural views of heredity and pride on family lineage (eg kinship documents in some East Asian cultures. But seriously, no one updates these things anymore and it’s all about the male line, anyway. And what if the donor’s ancestors are aristocrats and you’re a regular Joe? Why does it really matter??)
This an interesting point. My dad's family was blended with step siblings, half siblings and adopted siblings all growing up together, so these issues were aired and addressed to an extent within the family 30 years prior. I do think those non-biological bonds probably helped as well.
My parents' doctor was pretty adamant that we donor conceived people never be told about our origins. I feel that even in the 1980s that should have been recognized by the medical profession as bad advice. It certainly was hurtful to many of my donor siblings. Thankfully my parents went against it based on a radio program on the importance of disclosing adoption status to adoptees.
Some parents are being pressured by their own family not to tell based on cultural views of heredity and pride on family lineage (eg kinship documents in some East Asian cultures. But seriously, no one updates these things anymore and it’s all about the male line, anyway. And what if the donor’s ancestors are aristocrats and you’re a regular Joe? Why does it really matter??)
This an interesting point. My dad's family was blended with step siblings, half siblings and adopted siblings all growing up together, so these issues were aired and addressed to an extent within the family 30 years prior. I do think those non-biological bonds probably helped as well.
It is interesting how we carry our own context (aka baggage) into parenting (and grandparenting).
I’m thankful your parents heard that program