Looking for the roots after intercountry adoption
Statistics Netherlands investigated the search behavior of intercountry adopted persons for more information about the adoption and background. Fiom, in collaboration with Statistics Netherlands, has summarized the results of this research in a clear fact sheet.
Survey Research
In 2021, the report “Commission investigation into intercountry adoption in the past” was published as a result of an independent investigation into the state of affairs surrounding old international adoptions and the role of the Dutch government in this. In 2020, Statistics Netherlands investigated for the committee which searches adopted persons have made for more information about their background and adoption. Statistics Netherlands conducted a representative survey among people who were adopted internationally, born in the period 1970 - 1998. By chance (random sample), 11,456 adopted people were invited for the survey, of which 3,454 people completed the online questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 35 years and 55% were female. Most participants were born in Colombia, India, Sri Lanka, China,
Information from adoptive parents
Most adopted adults feel that the parents have been open about the adoption (90%) and indicate that the parents have shared information about the adoption voluntarily (70%) or after they have asked (20%). However, two in three adoptees indicated that information was found to be incorrect during the search, including birth certificate, date of birth, name of biological parents or reason for renunciation.
Own search for information
Half of the adopted adults went in search of more information about their background. The most frequently cited reasons for seeking information were that they wanted to know more about where they came from (82%) and about the biological family (69%), such as whether they resemble the family and whether they have siblings. People who did not look for more information about their background mainly indicate that they did not need it (73%), but also that they do not know where to start (17%), that they find it emotionally too heavy (10%) and that they think the costs are too high (8%). However, 35% of this group is considering looking for more information in the future. The questionnaire also showed that there is a need for a single information point where adoptees can go with all questions and problems that arise during their search. At the moment, this help is considered insufficiently available.
View the fact sheet
Results of the search
One in five people who searched have not (yet) found any information about their background. However, approximately one in three adoptees who have undertaken a search have had contact with their biological father or mother (35%) and with other biological relatives (36%). To ensure that a search is successful, it is now possible to use a DNA test. Of the persons who went to search, 7% indicate that they have done a DNA test to check whether biological relatives found are indeed related. Finally, few adoptees indicate that they have been opposed by institutions in their country of birth (7%) or in the Netherlands (4%).
Search by adoptive country
The research shows that there are large differences between countries in terms of the outcome of the search. Of the adopted persons from Bangladesh and China, 8% found all the information they were looking for, compared to 15-23% in the other countries. Also, the information found in persons adopted from Bangladesh (97%) and China (85%) most often turned out to be partially or completely incorrect. Adopted persons from India, Bangladesh and South Korea are most often opposed by institutions from the country of birth or the Netherlands.
Knowing more?
Regt, S. de & Reichardt, L. (2021). Intercountry adoption in the Netherlands. Life situation, well-being and search behavior of adopted adults.(link is external) CBS. Survey conducted at the request of the Committee on Investigating Intercountry Adoption in the Past.
Fiom & CBS (2022). Looking for the roots after intercountry adoption . (Fact sheet).
Fiom (2020). Search for family after adoptions from Sri Lanka and Indonesia. ?(Fact sheet)