What's Happening?
A new book titled "What They Stole: A Familicide Rooted in Intercountry Adoption" by Bellingham author Paige Towers details how an Oregon family, Harry and Bertha Holt, played a central role in a system that facilitated the adoption of Korean children
to the United States under deceptive circumstances. Between 1953 and 2019, an estimated 150,000 Korean children were adopted by U.S. families. Towers' book reveals that many of these children were not true orphans; Korean mothers were coerced into giving up their children, some children were kidnapped, and others with living relatives were designated as "paper orphans." The Holts, initially sponsoring children through World Vision, transitioned to adopting eight multiracial Korean children themselves, requiring a special act of Congress due to existing federal adoption limits. Following widespread media attention, they founded the Holt Adoption Program, which initially accepted applications from born-again Christians. The book highlights how false birth records were created, and identity switches occurred if a child died, to ensure adoptions proceeded, effectively turning children into "orphans" on paper.
Why It's Important?
This exposé is important as it challenges the long-held narrative of intercountry adoption from South Korea as solely a benevolent act. It uncovers systemic issues of fraud, coercion, and a lack of due diligence that had profound and often tragic consequences for Korean children and their biological families. The book sheds light on how U.S. media sensationalized the Holts' actions, portraying them as heroic, while ignoring the dark realities on the ground in Korea and in some adoptive homes. The revelations about the creation of "paper orphans" and the manipulation of legal documents raise significant ethical and legal questions about the foundations of intercountry adoption practices during that era. Furthermore, the book connects these historical practices to devastating outcomes, such as the 2008 familicide in Iowa City involving four Korean adopted children, suggesting a lack of accountability and investigation into adoptive families by agencies like Holt International.
What's Next?
The publication of "What They Stole" is likely to spark renewed discussions and scrutiny regarding the history and ethics of intercountry adoption, particularly concerning South Korea. It may prompt calls for further investigations into the practices of adoption agencies and potentially lead to demands for accountability or reparations for individuals affected by these deceptive adoptions. The book could also influence current adoption policies and practices, encouraging greater transparency, stricter oversight, and more thorough vetting processes to prevent similar abuses. Additionally, it may encourage more adoptees to investigate their origins and challenge the narratives surrounding their adoptions, potentially leading to a re-evaluation of historical adoption records and a push for greater access to information for adoptees seeking their biological families.
Beyond the Headlines
The deeper implications of this story extend to the cultural and societal understanding of adoption, particularly intercountry adoption. It forces a re-examination of the power dynamics inherent in such processes, where children from developing nations were often viewed as commodities or objects of charity rather than individuals with inherent rights and family ties. The narrative of "saving" children, often driven by religious or humanitarian motives, is revealed to have a darker side, where good intentions were overshadowed by systemic deception and a disregard for the children's true origins. This challenges the romanticized view of adoption and highlights the long-term psychological and identity struggles faced by adoptees who discover their past was built on falsehoods. It also underscores the importance of critical historical analysis in uncovering uncomfortable truths about past social practices and their lasting impact on individuals and communities.
