Abstract

Transnational adoption is an institution that has resulted in the transportation of almost 300,000 children worldwide to other countries since its origin in South Korea in 1953 (U.S. Department of State 2025). In the study of this institution, there are both macro- and micro-level facets to be considered, from migration to policy, kinship to emotions. Families are highly involved in this system, along with the children adopted who widely refer to themselves as “adoptees.” However, in anthropology and wider adoption studies, adoptees have been historically relegated to the background, excluded from studies that would benefit from their voice. The study of grief also has yet to be duly connected to the adoptee experience. Therefore, this study seeks to center adoptee perspectives and experiences while exploring how they navigate grief related to their adoption. In particular, this study looks to how they navigate grief amidst broad narratives and stigmas that surround adoption and the role of the adoptee in the American family. Drawing from semi-structured interviews, this study found that grief is greatly interwoven with adoptees’ lives, rather than being a stand-alone, separate experience. They move through this grief without necessarily looking for closure, but rather by following an ambiguous path that encourages us to reflect on our own understandings of grief.

Advisor

Thomas, Zareen

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Disciplines

Anthropology | Social and Cultural Anthropology

Keywords

Adoption, Grief, Kinship, Memory, Migration, Transnationalism

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2026 Meghan Willis