Language in Adoption.
Being adopted, I didn't really think of the impact of language in a systemic way as judgement, but now that i am older and look back, it does have a huge impact on how that child views themselves. I remember when i was younger people would as if i knew my real mom. I remember thinking that was such a strange question, what could you possible mean my real mom...as opposed to my fake mom? Both my mom's are quite real...neither of them are ghosts or figments of my imagination. This list from http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/pdf/PositiveLanguage.pdf is a tool for you to rethink your own language around adoption to be more child friendly and less judgmental.
Birth parent Real parent
Biological parent Natural parent
Birth child Own child
My child Adopted child; Own child
Born to unmarried parents Illegitimate
Terminate parental rights Give up
Make an adoption plan Give away
To parent To keep
Waiting child Adoptable child; available child
Biological or birth father Real father
Making contact with Reunion
Parent Adoptive parent
Inter-country adoption Foreign adoption
Adoption triad Adoption triangle
Permission to sign a release Disclosure
Search Track down parents
Child placed for adoption An unwanted child
Court termination Child taken away
Child with special needs Handicapped child
Child from abroad Foreign child
Was adopted Is adopted
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